South Africa Sets Local Government Elections for November 4, 2026; South Korea Faces Highway Congestion on Labor Day Holiday Start

President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed 4 November 2026 as the date for South Africa's Local Government Elections on Thursday. The Electoral Commission of South Africa welcomed the announcement, calling it a key milestone in preparations for the polls. Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo stated that the confirmation provides clarity for stakeholders and enables the Commission to intensify operational planning.

"The announcement of the election date provides clarity for all role players and certainty of planning for the Electoral Commission as we continue our work to deliver free and fair municipal elections," Mamabolo said. The Commission urged eligible South Africans to verify their voter registration status ahead of the elections.

Citizens who are not registered or have recently moved are encouraged to register in the voting district where they ordinarily reside.

Voters may only cast ballots at the voting station where they are registered. The President's announcement does not constitute the formal legal proclamation of the election date. The official proclamation will be made by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa, at which point the national voters' roll will be closed.

Za/ is available via the Electoral Commission of South Africa's official website for registering or updating details using a desktop computer or mobile phone. A national voter registration weekend is scheduled for 20 and 21 June 2026, when citizens can register in person at voting stations where they intend to vote.

The Commission has called on all eligible citizens to take advantage of these opportunities, verify their registration details early, and participate fully in shaping the future of their local communities.

In a separate development, highways across South Korea were congested on Friday, May 1, 2026, due to outbound traffic on the first day of an extended holiday beginning with Labor Day. The government designated Labor Day as a national holiday earlier in 2026, allowing all workers to take the day off.

Children's Day falls on Tuesday in 2026, enabling a potential five-day holiday if Monday is taken off, including the weekend.

More than 6 million vehicles were estimated to travel nationwide on May 1, 2026, according to the state-run Korea Expressway Corp. A drive from Seoul to the southeastern port city of Busan was expected to take up to 9 hours and 10 minutes. A trip to the southwestern city of Gwangju was projected at seven hours and 30 minutes, while a drive to the eastern coastal city of Gangneung was estimated at six hours and 20 minutes at peak times.

M. on May 1, 2026. m. 3 million people were estimated to be taking flights departing from or arriving at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, from April 30 through May 5, 2026, amid a rise in demand for international trips during the extended holiday period, according to industry data.