VOW 88.1

The VOW Drive is a lighthearted conversation-driven afternoon show that focuses on entertainment through learnings and the day-to-day navigation of life. Instagram · Twitter

The VOW Drive is a lighthearted conversation-driven afternoon show that focuses on entertainment through learnings and the day-to-day navigation of life. Instagram · Twitter

Today, Area Code is broadcasting live from the Electoral Commission of South Africa's (IEC) Gauteng Provincial Results Operation Centre in Alberton, as the country enters the next phase of the 2026 Local Government Elections following Wednesday's nationwide vote.

With voting now concluded, attention has shifted to the counting, verification and announcement of results. Political parties, candidates and communities are waiting to see how South Africans have voted and what the outcome will mean for the country's municipal political landscape.

Here at the Results Operation Centre, election officials are overseeing the processing and consolidation of results received from voting stations across Gauteng. The centre also provides a space for political party representatives, observers and members of the media to follow developments as the results are captured and verified.

The scale of Wednesday's election was significant. According to the IEC, approximately 29.2 million South Africans were registered to vote across 23,696 voting stations nationally, with around 188,000 election officials deployed to facilitate the process.

The Commission reported that 98% of voting stations had opened by 07:00 on Wednesday. By 10:00, preliminary figures indicated that more than 3.5 million voters had already cast their ballots.

With the voting process behind us, attention is now on the results emerging from municipalities across the country, particularly Gauteng's metropolitan municipalities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Instagram · Twitter

On Wednesday, the IEC reported that more than 3.5 million people had voted by 10:00. Later election-day reporting indicated that approximately 12 million voters had cast their ballots by 17:00, although these were figures recorded before voting stations closed at 21:00.

The final turnout figure will provide a clearer picture of how many registered voters participated in the election.

This is particularly important when compared with the 2021 Local Government Elections, which recorded a national voter turnout of approximately 45.9%, according to IEC historical election statistics.

Local government elections are particularly significant because municipalities make decisions that directly affect residents' everyday lives. These include the provision of basic services, infrastructure development, waste management, local planning and municipal financial administration.

However, voter turnout figures alone cannot explain why some residents participate while others choose not to vote. Public confidence in political leadership, dissatisfaction with service delivery, accessibility of voting stations and perceptions of whether elected representatives respond to community needs are among the issues that warrant further examination.

As the IEC finalises the national participation figures, attention will also turn to differences between provinces and municipalities.

The results could help establish whether participation increased or declined compared with previous local government elections, providing an important measure of public engagement with the country's democratic processes.

The question for discussion is whether the turnout reflects renewed interest in local government or continued frustration with the way municipalities are governed. Instagram · Twitter

That Lunch Show is one of VOW 88.1's Award Winning shows. The show is about inspiring, informing and empowering listeners with hard-hitting topics. It tackles unemployment, current affairs, health, cultural, technology, and entertainment news. The aim is to keep the listeners informed and entertained. The show airs weekdays at 12:00-15:00. Instagram · Twitter

With local government elections around the corner, one question keeps coming up: who is actually responsible for what? When the clinic runs out of medicine, the provincial road is full of potholes or the taps run dry, who do we hold to account?

South Africa has three spheres of government: national, provincial and local. On the ballot this time are the ward and proportional representation councillors who will run your municipality and go on to elect your executive mayor. But provinces are the sphere that supports, monitors and, when things fail, can step in.

Tonight, a constitutional law expert breaks down the power’s provinces hold, the powers municipalities hold, and where the two meet. This is Law Focus.

The VOW Drive is a lighthearted conversation-driven afternoon show that focuses on entertainment through learnings and the day-to-day navigation of life. Instagram · Twitter

South Africa is set to take its musical talent to the international stage as Tembisa Serenade, a trio of young singers consisting of Lesedi Kahla, Alakhe Cita and Londele Bukali, prepares to represent the country at the International Junior Song Contest Our Generation 2026. The international television competition celebrates young singers and original songwriting, providing children and teenagers with an opportunity to showcase their musical abilities, share their cultural identities and connect with young artists from different parts of the world.

The 2026 competition final is scheduled to take place on 20 November in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. For Tembisa Serenade, participation presents an opportunity to showcase South African youth talent and culture on an international platform. Their journey also offers an opportunity to explore how the trio came together, what led to their selection, the inspiration behind their competition song and the message they hope to communicate to audiences through their music. Instagram · Twitter

As South Africa prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections on 4 November, the focus is on encouraging young people to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities. Local government plays a direct role in people's everyday lives, from the provision of basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation to the maintenance of roads and the development of local infrastructure. However, despite being among the most important stakeholders in the country's future, young people can become disengaged from the electoral process, particularly when frustration over unemployment, service delivery and political leadership influences their confidence in voting.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli has called on young South Africans to turn out and vote, stressing that choosing not to participate means allowing others to make decisions on their behalf. This conversation will explore why young people should not underestimate the power of their vote, how local government decisions affect their daily lives, and what responsibility elected leaders have in addressing the concerns of younger generations. It will also examine how young voters can move beyond election day and remain actively involved in holding their local representatives accountable. Instagram · Twitter

As the 2026 academic year approaches its final examination period, university students are facing one of the most demanding times of the year. Between preparing for examinations, completing outstanding assignments, meeting academic deadlines and managing the expectations placed on them, many students find themselves physically and emotionally exhausted. For some, the pressure to perform academically is accompanied by financial difficulties, family responsibilities and the uncertainty of what life after graduation will look like.

Academic stress is often considered a normal part of university life, but there is a growing concern about how easily students have become accustomed to functioning under constant pressure. Long study hours, inadequate sleep, anxiety about results and the fear of academic failure can affect students' ability to concentrate, retain information and perform effectively. This raises an important question: when does the pressure associated with studying move beyond ordinary academic stress and become burnout? Instagram · Twitter