DJ Zan-D says municipal event rules cost one party his vote
DJ Zan-D has said on X that he is withholding his vote from an unnamed party because of municipal rules he believes hurt entertainment workers.
As South Africans voted in the 2026 Local Government Elections, veteran DJ, radio personality and producer DJ Zan-D shared how he will be casting his ballot. According to SA Hip Hop Mag, he said on X that one political party has lost his support because of the way it handled rules for the entertainment industry.
Zan-D did not name the party. He said he had seen for himself how the metros it governed made events harder to stage through strict by-laws and heavy red tape, which in his view made it tougher for people in the industry to earn an income.
“I will not vote for a party that has made our lives unnecessarily difficult,” Zan-D wrote. He added that, in his view, keeping order is one thing, but piling obstacles in front of people trying to make a living is another.
The background to his comments
SA Hip Hop Mag reported that about 29 million registered voters were eligible to take part, with more than 23,000 voting stations open across the country from 07:00 to 21:00. The results will decide who leads the metropolitan, district and local municipalities for the next five years.
Zan-D has spent more than two decades in South African hip-hop, radio and nightlife. He is a familiar voice on YFM and has been a regular DJ on e.tv’s Club 808. The outlet notes that he has also helped bring local music and new talent to bigger audiences through radio and club culture.
The source says municipal policies such as event permits, noise restrictions and other compliance requirements can directly affect DJs, promoters, venue owners and event organisers. It also acknowledges that regulations have a legitimate place in protecting communities and keeping public events safe. Zan-D’s point, as reported, is about the balance between those aims and the burden placed on people who work in the sector.
What this means for readers
Zan-D’s post is a personal opinion, and he did not say which party he is referring to or give specific examples of the rules he has in mind. Still, it shows how local government decisions can reach into everyday working life, especially for people whose income depends on live events and nightlife.
- Voting stations were scheduled to stay open until 21:00 on election day.
- Municipal councils chosen in this election will set local priorities for the next five years.
- Anyone in the events trade can look at how each party’s local plans treat permits and event rules before deciding how to vote.
This story is based on reporting by SA Hip Hop Mag.
