The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday called on employers to allow workers the time to cast their ballots in the local government elections next Wednesday.

"The ANC views voting as an act of active patriotism where the people of South Africa exercise their hard won right to choose a government of their choice," the ruling party said.

ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said this is why government declared voting day a national holiday.

He added: "While we note that some businesses will continue to regard this day as a trading day, the ANC appeals to employers to consider the needs of workers who are registered to vote in their respective voting districts, which may be a distance from their place of work."

Kodwa said given the "real challenges of availability of public transport" on a public holiday, and the fact that polling stations would be open between 7am and 7pm, employees should plan in advance to give staff sufficient time to reach voting stations.

"A failure to do this, in reality, amounts to disenfranchisement from active citizenry and undermines our collective commitment to credible, free, fair and peaceful elections," he warned.