Teboho Setena
The Setsoto Local Municipality in the Eastern Free State is likely to have its wards reduced from 17 to 15 ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2026 local government elections.
This follows the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) rolling out the ward delimitation process.
The MDB delimits wards every five years preceding the local government elections in compliance with the Municipal Structures Act.
It has begun a consultation process aimed at the reconfiguration of wards.
Subsequently, a public meeting on the ward delimitation process in Setsoto has been scheduled for Wednesday, 30 April.
The ANC-governed municipality delivers services to four towns, namely Ficksburg, Senekal, Clocolan and Marquard. The ruling party runs 14 wards, while the Setsoto Service Delivery Forum (SSDF) controls three wards.
Riëtte Dell, DA ward councillor in Setsoto, said a reduction in the number of wards from 17 to 15 would translate to a decrease in the number of councillors from 33 to 30.
“While this is a result of the formula published by the minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and the relevant MEC, we are mindful of the impact this change will have on the representation of our communities at a local level,” mentioned Dell.
“This reduction may lead to a more concentrated representation, potentially affecting the accessibility of councillors to all areas.
“However, we are committed to ensuring that service delivery and accountability structures remain strong under the new configuration.”
According to Dell, it is important for residents to attend the upcoming meeting.
“It is an opportunity for residents to influence how the new ward boundaries will be drawn. The draft maps that will be presented do not yet carry legal status, and the public consultation phase is critical to ensuring that community voices are heard before any final decisions are made.
“Your participation can make a significant difference in the future of our municipality,” insists Dell.
“As the DA, we will closely monitor the process and make submissions where necessary to protect the interests of residents we serve.
“We are committed to ensuring that no community is unfairly fragmented, and that service delivery and accountability structures remain strong under the new configuration.
“We call on all stakeholders to engage constructively with the MDB and to help shape a ward structure that enhances democratic representation and responsive governance in Setsoto,” said Dell.
The MDB authority plans to hand over the final list of wards to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) towards the end of this year.
