South Africans are heading to the polls in local elections that are expected to show a significant drop in support for the African National Congress (ANC), the country's long-dominant political party. The elections for nearly 300 municipalities, which are responsible for essential services like water, electricity, and waste collection, come amid widespread voter dissatisfaction.
The ANC, which has led South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, has seen its electoral support dwindle over the years. Once commanding 70% of the vote in general elections in 2004, its share fell to 40% by the last national election. This decline is largely attributed to public anger over corruption, high unemployment, and rising crime rates.
In areas like Alexandra, a township northeast of Johannesburg, the ANC's traditional support base is being eroded by poor governance and voter apathy. Residents have voiced their frustration with uncollected rubbish, overflowing sewage, and roads riddled with potholes. "It makes no difference [whether I vote or not]. Things have gotten worse over the years," said Zandile Mncube, a 33-year-old resident who is registered to vote but does not intend to cast a ballot.
Sanele Ntombela, an 18-year-old first-time voter in Alexandra, expressed hope for change despite the challenges. "We face many challenges in Alexandra. There's rubbish everywhere and we struggle with electricity and water and many other issues," he said.
Similar complaints about service delivery issues, including inconsistent water and electricity supply, have been reported in Soweto. Mduduzi Makhubo, a 45-year-old Soweto resident, plans to use his vote to address what he perceives as the "arrogance" of local leaders and "change the status quo."
Reports from the auditor-general have consistently highlighted the poor state of many of South Africa's municipalities, with few receiving clean audits. Johannesburg, for instance, has been described as "effectively bankrupt," facing persistent issues with sanitation, unstable electricity, and water supply. Political analysts predict that the ANC could perform its worst ever in these local elections, with polls indicating a potential drop in support to around 30%, down from 46% in the last local elections in 2021.
Several parties are vying for influence, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) expected to see a slight increase in its vote share. The former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is also projected to perform well in certain regions, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal.
Political analysts suggest that coalition governments will likely continue to be the norm in many municipalities, especially in the Gauteng province. These coalitions have often been unstable, impacting service delivery. The electoral commission has seven days to announce the results, and parties will have 14 days to form governing structures.