The African National Congress (ANC) in Mpumalanga has lost control of several municipalities, including the province's capital, Mbombela, after its support dropped to 43.6% in the 2026 elections. This marks a significant decline from the 58% it attained in the 2021 local government elections. As a result, the ANC will need to form coalitions with other parties to govern in 13 municipalities. The party won only three municipalities outright: Chief Albert Luthuli, Nkomazi, and Bushbuckridge.
The Service Delivery Party (SDP), led by former ANC Youth League provincial treasurer Thabo Motau, has taken control of the Victor Khanye local municipality. The SDP attained 39.53% of the votes in Delmas, with residents citing poor service delivery and lack of employment opportunities under the ANC as reasons for their decision to vote for the SDP. Residents expressed hope that Motau's party would provide them with reliable water and employment.
The MK Party has taken the lead in Mkhondo municipality, with its elections manager Siphiwe Mathebula stating that they are not keen to work with the ANC. Mathebula said that aligning with the ANC would be a betrayal to the voters who rejected the party. However, the MK Party is open to coalition talks with other parties in municipalities where they can work together to deliver services to the people.
The SDP is also open to coalition talks, with spokesperson Fukie Mofokeng stating that they are willing to work with any party that shares their goal of delivering services to the people. Mofokeng said that the SDP's aim is not to lead but to serve the people, and that they cannot shut the door to the ANC or any other party.
Residents in Mkhondo and Delmas expressed frustration with the ANC's poor service delivery and lack of employment opportunities. They emphasized that they need basic services such as water, electricity, and permanent jobs, regardless of the party leading the municipality. Some residents expressed hope that the new parties would bring about positive change, while others were skeptical.
University of Mpumalanga's Rasodi Manyaka attributed the decline of ANC support to poor service delivery, corruption, and the party's failure to disclose its mayoral candidates. Manyaka noted that the emergence of new parties such as MK, ActionSA, and SDP has shaken the narrative that Mpumalanga is a stronghold of the ANC.
ANC provincial secretary Muzi Chirwa stated that the party will be guided by the national executive committee on how to proceed with coalition talks. Chirwa emphasized that the ANC will engage with all parties to determine the best way forward in favour of community development. The party's decline in Mpumalanga reflects a broader trend in the country, with the ANC's support dropping in several provinces.
Key points
- ANC's support in Mpumalanga drops to 43.6%
- SDP and MK Party gain control of several municipalities
- Coalition talks expected to begin soon
Reporting sources
- # 2 ANC loses hold in Mpumalanga as coalitions loom · The Sowetan
