South Africa’s ruling African National Congress stands on the brink of its worst-ever electoral performance, holding roughly 32 percent of the vote as 80 percent of ballots from Wednesday’s municipal elections were counted by Friday, The Guardian reported.
The stark decline strips the party of its historical dominance in local government, accelerating a downward trajectory that saw the ANC secure just over 40 percent at the 2024 national polls and 46 percent during the previous municipal elections in 2021. For an organization born out of the anti-apartheid struggle and led to power by Nelson Mandela in 1994, the current numbers reflect a profound fracturing of voter loyalty.
The EFF Secretary General, @DlaminiMarshall, in conversation with Sunday World at the Results Operation Centre, providing an update on the party’s performance in the 2026 Local Government Elections. The SG emphasised that the party is still analysing the results as they continue… pic.twitter.com/aNK78OBIbn
Daniel Silke, a political analyst, told AFP that the outcome is the most severe result the party could have feared. He noted that it will undermine the ANC’s ability to exert authority not just locally, but nationally, signaling that opposition parties will be hunting for further gains ahead of the 2029 general election.
Municipal Failures Drive Down Turnout and Power Shifting
Voters headed to the polls amid widespread anger over deteriorating infrastructure, including failing water and electricity supplies across the country. DW reported that wastewater treatment works in many areas remain in a critical state, discharging sewage into rivers, while recent water treatment failures in Tshwane left more than 400 residents sick.
Despite these profound service delivery crises, the electoral commission reported that approximately 15.9 million out of 29.2 million registered voters cast ballots. Turnout climbed to an estimated 54.5 percent, marking a rebound from the pandemic-impacted 46 percent recorded in the 2021 local government elections.
While the ANC remains the largest single party nationally, the collapse of its traditional majorities means outright control of several major cities is slipping away. Political science professor Amanda Gouws told AFP that while smaller parties have long participated in local governance, historical coalitions have often proved unstable and failed to fix underlying service delivery problems.
/file/attachments/orphans/ATBRoc_114353.jpg "Photo: Daily Maverick")
The Rise of MK Party and the Era of Complex Coalitions
Jacob Zuma’s breakaway opposition uMkhonto weSizwe party caused further political disruption. Contesting local government elections for the first time, the MK party secured just over nine percent of the national count and captured the lead in the eastern metropolitan municipality of eThekwini, which encompasses the port city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.
With final results anticipated by Sunday, the electoral commission dashboard points toward a scramble for power. Cities across South Africa are bracing for intricate coalition negotiations as political rivals bargain to assemble the governing majorities required to run municipal councils.
“We have heard the people. We respect their choices. We recognise the work that lies ahead. And we remain committed to serving South Africa.” – ANC National Spokesperson, Cde Mahlengi Bhengu, addressed Hilaal TV at the IEC Results Operations Centre in Midrand.#VoteANC2026… pic.twitter.com/B4JxOLjMVn
More on South Africa
ANC National Spokesperson, Cde Mahlengi Bhengu, engaged with SABC News Live at the Results Operations Centre in Midrand, reflecting on the 2026 Local Government Elections as results continue to come in.#VoteANC2026#LetsBuildBetterCommunities pic.twitter.com/PBdKuwmfNI
The EFF National Elections Spokesperson, Fighter @SixoGcilishe, speaking to Mhlobo Wenene FM and Tru FM at the Results Operation Centre (ROC), commenting on the ongoing election results. She expressed satisfaction with the results coming in, highlighting that the EFF has secured… pic.twitter.com/c70Ecj4dUz
