South Africa's long-dominant African National Congress (ANC) party is poised to lose significant voter support and control of major cities in local government elections, according to interim results released Friday. The elections determine control over municipal districts responsible for essential services like water, road maintenance, and rubbish removal.
With 76% of votes counted nationwide, the ANC had secured nearly 31% of the vote, trailing rival parties in crucial urban centers including Johannesburg, Tshwane, and eThekwini. This represents a substantial drop from the 2021 local elections, where the ANC garnered just over 45% nationally, and follows its worst electoral performance in the 2024 national elections when it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu acknowledged the results reflect a loss of voter confidence. "We are conscious of the message that our voters, especially our historical voters, are conveying to us," Bhengu stated. "And we are going to have a serious, honest and deep reflection about how to rebuild the confidence between ourselves and the people of South Africa."
The ANC has been the leading party since South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994 but has experienced a consistent decline in support. It currently governs some cities through coalition governments and has formed a unity government at the national level with the Democratic Alliance and other smaller parties.
In the closely contested Johannesburg, the Democratic Alliance was leading the ANC, though early results indicate no single party will achieve an outright majority, necessitating coalition formations. DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis stated that potential coalition governments are under serious consideration.
The MK Party, founded by former ANC leader Jacob Zuma, is leading in the eThekwini municipality, which includes the city of Durban. Political analyst Sandile Mnguni observed that voters are increasingly making decisions based on performance rather than loyalty, warning that parties must adapt or face consequences similar to the ANC's decline.