Ramaphosa Says People’s Right to Vote Remains Foundation of South Africa’s Democracy

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed the importance of the right to vote, saying South Africa’s democratic system derives its legitimacy from the will of the people.

Speaking as the country marks 30 years since the signing of the Constitution, Ramaphosa highlighted the role of citizens in shaping the nation’s political future through regular elections.

He pointed to the participation of more than 500 political parties and independent candidates in the 2026 Local Government Elections as an indication of the country’s multiparty democratic system.

According to the president, the involvement of nearly 137,000 candidates further demonstrates the scale of political participation and the opportunities available to South Africans to contest for public office.

Ramaphosa’s remarks come as the country reflects on three decades of constitutional democracy, which followed the end of apartheid and the introduction of universal suffrage.

The president emphasised that the right to vote remains central to ensuring that elected representatives derive their authority from the people.

His comments also place the spotlight on the importance of protecting democratic institutions and encouraging public participation in governance.

As South Africa celebrates the constitutional milestone, the 2026 elections provide another opportunity for citizens to exercise their democratic rights and influence leadership at the local government level.

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