South Africa's ANC Posts Its Worst Result Ever in Municipal Elections

South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) has recorded its weakest result in its history in municipal elections held on Wednesday. Final figures published on Sunday show the party took less than 31% of the vote, while its main rival, the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), received just under 25%. The country's Electoral Commission said the ANC lost its majority in six of the eight metropolitan regions. With no clear winner in several major cities, politicians will have to negotiate coalitions to form local governments.

Growing voter frustration

The ANC remains the country's most popular party, but voter backlash is increasing. Many South Africans are frustrated by water and electricity shortages, and the party is blamed for the poor state of municipalities. High unemployment, crime and widespread corruption are also high on the public agenda.

ANC leader and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has not yet publicly addressed the result. In his weekly letter, however, he acknowledged that municipal failures have contributed to declining public trust and confidence in democratic governance. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula told reporters on Saturday that the party must win back public confidence. He said people cannot be asked to trust the ANC merely because of its history, and called the outcome catastrophic.

A long decline

The ANC, once led by Nelson Mandela and instrumental in ending apartheid, took power in 1994. It governed with an absolute majority for most of its history, until the 2024 general election, when it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in the democratic era. It then won just over 40%, compared with 46% in the 2021 municipal elections. After 2024, the ANC formed a national unity government with all parties represented in parliament, which remains in power.

Political analyst Daniel Silke told the AFP news agency it was the ANC's worst result in history and would undermine its ability to exert authority locally and nationally. The outcome may also serve as a bellwether of voter sentiment ahead of the 2029 general elections.

DA keeps major cities

The pro-business, center-right DA is set to retain control of Cape Town after winning an absolute majority. It also performed well in the capital, Pretoria, and in the economic hub of Johannesburg, and is expected to form coalitions that exclude the ANC. DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said he had already reached out to many parties over the past 24 hours and would continue to do so.