South Africa's ANC faces major losses in local government elections

Associated Press · Mogomotsi Magome · 2026-11-06 10:47 UTC

South Africa's African National Congress faces a significant decline in voter support, according to interim results from local elections held this week. The ANC has garnered nearly 31% of the votes with about three-quarters of ballots counted, trailing behind rivals in key cities like Johannesburg and eThekwini. The ANC received just over 45% of votes in the 2021 local elections. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu acknowledges the drop as a strong message from voters. The ANC has dominated since 1994 but lost its parliamentary majority in 2024. Major cities may require coalition governments, with the Democratic Alliance considering potential partnerships.

South Africa’s once-dominant ANC faces huge decline in voter support, early election results show

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s once-dominant African National Congress party was set to lose significant voter support and control of some major cities in local government elections held this week, interim results across the country showed on Friday.

South Africans voted this week in local polls that determine which parties get to control major cities and local municipal districts that are responsible for the delivery of basic services like water, road maintenance and rubbish removal.

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