For millions of South Africans, Election Day comes down to a simple but significant moment: arriving at a voting station and making their mark. Behind that moment is a complex national operation, with people, processes, technology and infrastructure working together across the country.

Ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026, Telkom Group has announced a R20 million partnership with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), extending a relationship spanning more than three decades of support for South Africa’s electoral processes through connectivity, technology and technical expertise.

As the digital backbone of the nation, the partnership will draw on capabilities from across Telkom Group, with Openserve’s national fibre network forming the backbone of the digital infrastructure required by the IEC as it prepares to deliver elections in South Africa.

Telkom’s contribution goes beyond infrastructure. Behind every connection are engineers, technicians and technology specialists working to keep networks available, systems connected, and technology operating reliably. Working alongside the IEC, Telkom will bring this combination of infrastructure, expertise and operational capability to support one of South Africa’s most significant national undertakings.

“South Africa’s elections are ultimately about people and their ability to participate in our democracy. Our role is behind the scenes, bringing trusted digital infrastructure and technical expertise to support the IEC as it carries out this important national responsibility,” said Serame Taukobong, Group Chief Executive Officer of Telkom.

“We have supported South Africa’s electoral processes for more than three decades. This partnership allows us to continue bringing the scale, experience and technology capabilities of Telkom Group to an environment where reliable connectivity and resilient digital infrastructure matter.”

Telkom’s relationship with the IEC dates back to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. Across successive election cycles, Telkom has provided connectivity and technology support as the country’s electoral environment has evolved and become increasingly digital.

In 2026, the partnership will bring together complementary capabilities from across Telkom Group, demonstrating how connectivity, technology and technical expertise can support critical national infrastructure at scale.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, welcomed Telkom’s continued commitment, saying that it strengthens the digital infrastructure needed to support the 2026 Local Government Elections.

“We welcome Telkom’s partnership in enabling the digital infrastructure required to support the successful delivery of the forthcoming elections. Our longstanding partnership with Telkom continues to strengthen the technological capacity that underpins the delivery of credible elections. Reliable connectivity, including in remote areas, is essential to ensuring that geographical barriers do not impede eligible voters from exercising their democratic rights,” said Mamabolo.

Telkom’s role is technology-led and strictly non-partisan. The IEC remains independently responsible for managing and administering the electoral process, including voting, electoral integrity, and the declaration of election results. Telkom does not count, verify or determine votes, nor does it influence election outcomes.

On 4 November Election Day, voters may never see engineers monitoring networks, the technicians maintaining connections or the technology operating behind the scenes. What matters is that the infrastructure supporting the electoral process is reliable when it is needed most.

For millions of South Africans, the experience will remain simple: arrive at a voting station and make their mark.

Because when South Africans make their mark, the trusted digital infrastructure behind that moment matters too.