In brief
South Africans voted on municipal elections amid widespread complaints over corruption, crime and service failures. Polls suggest the ANC’s vote share could fall below 40% for the first time, while the Democratic Alliance is poised to gain control of Johannesburg and other metros. The results will shape the trajectory of the 2029 national elections and an upcoming leadership contest within the ANC.
On Wednesday, South Africans went to the polls in a municipal election that could reshape the political landscape of the country, with the African National Congress (ANC) seeing its support erode for the first time in two decades.
The elections were held in the city of Johannesburg, the administrative capital Pretoria, the eThekwini region that includes Durban, and major provincial capitals across the country. In all, 47 municipalities are set to hold new councils.
“Municipal failures have contributed to declining public trust and confidence in democratic governance,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa in a statement after the polls opened at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT). He added, “This election is an opportunity to turn this around.”
According to Ipsos polls released ahead of the vote, the ANC’s share of the vote could drop below 40% for the first time, a fall that, if realized, would mirror the decline seen in the 2021 municipal elections when the party fell below 50% for the first time since 2011.
The declining performance is tied to growing frustration over corruption scandals, rising crime rates, and persistent failures in water and electricity supply. Campaigns in Johannesburg, for instance, highlighted frequent electricity cuts that have disrupted businesses and residential life.
In the wake of the ANC’s reduced support, many observers expect coalition governments to win control of most major metros. Coalitions have been blamed for failing to deliver basic services and for the political instability that followed the ANC’s loss of the national majority in 2024.
Political analysts point to the Democratic Alliance (DA) as the most likely beneficiary of the ANC’s erosion. In both Johannesburg and Cape Town, the DA’s candidates are projected to win the most votes but fall short of outright majorities. In Johannesburg, Helen Zille, the DA’s mayoral candidate, is expected to lead votes yet will need partners to secure formal control of the council.
In Pretoria, home to the national capital, the city’s municipal election is expected to be closely contested. Meanwhile, eThekwini, an area that reports strong support for former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe party, also faces uncertainty as the ANC seeks to regain its footing.
Polls were open until 9 p.m. (1900 GMT). Results announced on Sunday will determine who chairs each council and will set the stage for the country’s next national election in 2029, as well as a potential leadership contest within the ANC as Ramaphosa’s term as party leader approaches its end in 2027.
The municipal elections were observed by citizens across the country, as viewports on the property of the Johannesburg, Tshwane and eThekwini City Councils were lined with election posters and local candidates held street outreach. People turnout was high, especially in urban wards where service delivery problems were most acute.
Unlike the 2021 elections, where ANC’s support retained an outright majority in the national national map, the 2026 municipal votes show the ANC’s dominance no longer guaranteed. The result will force city administrators to confront the current pressure for coalition-making and the question of how effectively they can respond to the breakdown of basic service delivery, especially the shortages of water, electricity and the wider effects of high unemployment in many municipal wards.
Political commentators added that this election will be a barometer for the ANC’s loyalty base, and for the potential of a new administration in the country’s political system. In a time of deteriorating public confidence, the ANC’s performance will likely influence its national strategy in the coming years.
RaBa, who worked as a civic engagement coordinator in Soweto, noted that people were “looking for change” and the DA’s promises to create economic opportunities in municipalities. “We see clear signals,” she said. “The figures will be closely watched because a shift in municipal governance will shape the national conversation.”
As it stands, the Democratic Alliance and the ANC will have to seek alliances with smaller parties to gain a majority in cities. If the coalition approach continues, it may strengthen the governance structure in the city of Johannesburg by achieving a joint majority, but the political swings demonstrate the erosion of public trust in the ANC as “failing public services and increased crime continue to push voters away.”
In the next steps, the Electoral Commission will digitize provisional returns and formally announce results on Sunday. The outcomes will shape the next national phase and the ANC’s internal changes through a potential leadership transition in 2027. The elections underscore the urgency for a collective effort to revitalize public service provision and address the root causes of discontent while local voters move toward a new chapter in South Africa’s democratic journey.
