JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) has suffered a major electoral setback, securing approximately 31% of the national vote in municipal elections. The result has weakened the ruling party’s position and opened the door to difficult coalition negotiations across major cities.
With 99% of votes counted on Sunday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) stood at 25%. Former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party followed with about 10%, placing third nationally.
The ANC’s performance represents a sharp decline from the 45.6% it secured in the 2021 municipal elections. It also continues a political shift that began before the party lost its parliamentary majority in 2024.
Voter frustration over unemployment, corruption and failing municipal services has contributed to the decline. Water shortages, electricity problems and deteriorating infrastructure have become major concerns in several urban centres.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula described the election outcome as “catastrophic” and acknowledged the need for internal reform.
“When the people tell us we have fallen short… the honest answer is not to argue with them but to go home and put our house in order,” Mbalula said.
Despite remaining South Africa’s largest party nationally, the ANC failed to secure outright majorities in the country’s eight metropolitan municipalities. This leaves several major cities dependent on agreements between competing political parties.
Johannesburg has emerged as a particularly important battleground. The DA led the count with approximately 35% of votes, compared with 20% for the ANC.
The result strengthens the position of DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille. However, her path to becoming mayor depends on securing support from other parties.
Coalition negotiations are also expected to shape the future of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and other municipalities. Political parties will have 14 days to negotiate arrangements before new councils are formed.
The DA says it will seek partners committed to accountable government, tackling corruption and improving public services. However, disagreements between parties could complicate efforts to establish stable administrations.
South Africa has experienced repeated changes in municipal leadership, particularly in Johannesburg. Such instability has affected decision-making and efforts to address infrastructure problems.
The election results carry economic consequences beyond party politics. Municipal governments oversee essential services, including water supply, roads, waste collection and local infrastructure.
Reliable services are important to businesses considering investment or expansion. Continued political uncertainty could delay infrastructure projects and weaken confidence in municipal management.
The outcome also reflects changing voter expectations in South Africa’s democracy. Historical political loyalties appear increasingly vulnerable when parties fail to deliver basic services.
Final election results were expected to be formally announced later on Sunday.
The immediate challenge for South Africa’s political parties is to establish workable municipal governments. Their ability to improve services and restore public confidence will determine whether the latest electoral shift delivers meaningful change.
