Archive post. Issued by SAMNET on 28 July 2024 ahead of the by-elections of 28 August 2024. Those elections have been held; the ward and voting-station details below are kept as broadcast. Published here as part of SAMNET’s advocacy archive — the argument it makes applies to every by-election round.

SAMNET calls on the Muslim community to actively engage, to inform their neighbours, and to participate in the municipal by-elections taking place across South Africa.

Why by-elections matter more than people think

By-elections run continuously, replacing ward councillors for seats that fall vacant — and there are many scheduled over the coming months following the national and provincial elections.

Most are small, poorly attended, and decided by narrow margins: fifty votes, or a few hundred. A small, organised, informed group can decide the outcome. A single mosque, or a group of families, that invites and interviews the candidates can substantially influence who wins — and build a relationship with the winning councillor in the process.

That relationship is access. It bears directly on service delivery, safety, security and the local economy of the ward.

Wards to watch on 28 August 2024

These are by-elections we believe have Musaajid, Musallah or Muslim residents in the ward.

Ward 87, City of Johannesburg

  • Greenside Primary School
  • Hope Church, Auckland Park
  • Parktown High School for Girls
  • Melpark Primary School
  • Holy Family College

Ward 89, City of Johannesburg

  • Laerskool Fairland
  • Cliffview Primary School
  • Panorama Primary School
  • Constantia Kloof Primary School
  • CCH Pre-School

Ward 34, eThekwini Municipality

  • Greenwood Park Primary School
  • St Michael’s Primary School
  • Effingham Secondary School
  • Effingham Heights Primary School
  • Kernville Primary School
  • Sea Cow Lake Secondary School

Ward 58, City of Cape Town

  • Claremont Primary School
  • Rosmead Central Primary School
  • Wetton Scout Hall
  • Batavia School
  • Rondebosch Boys’ High School
  • Rosebank Junior School
  • Voortrekker High School

What we are asking

SAMNET calls on community leaders, media, civic organisations, schools and businesses to engage actively with the parties, the candidates and the voters — so that the community makes informed choices and selects skilled, committed, community-oriented representatives who will hold to good values and ethics, and serve the whole ward.

We have the opportunity to positively influence our children’s future and our communities. Let us not waste it.

For the full list of by-elections in your area, see the IEC website.

Shared by the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) in the interest of better voter education and participation, and accountability from our public representatives.