RIVERSDALE NEWS - Most people enjoyed themselves on the Hessequa region's blue flag beaches this weekend, but officials from the region's participating political parties were frantically recruiting prospective voters at the 25 registration points across the region.

In Riversdal, the ANC, DA, FF Plus, PA and the EFF deployed their campaigners at the civic center and in Kwanokuthula and at Riverville Stadion.

Hessequa currently has approximately 72,000 inhabitants, of which approximately 54,000 are entitled to vote. However, only about 35,000 registered to vote.

“We focussed on a door-to-door campaign in Kwanokuthula. The registration weekend was a success. People reacted positive and came out in a very hot and sunny day to register to vote in the upcoming National and Provincial Elections,” says ANC Councillor Msindo Elias Dayimani.

Thousands of South Africans living and working abroad registered at the country's various embassies last week. Until Friday, many convicted criminals in the country's 200 correctional institutions also used their right to vote for change in this year's election.

Nationwide close to 28 million voters are already on the national election list; the most since the introduction of democracy thirty years ago in the country.

However, more than 14 million South Africans whom are eligible to vote, still have to register.

After the weekend, eligible voters can still register at the region's municipal offices or online until President Cyril Ramaphosa proclaims the election date in the government gazette.

According to Granville Abrahams, the national general manager of election operations, the election should take place on 22 May this year.

‘Ons bring jou die nuutste Tuinroete, Hessequa, Karoo nuus’