ANC Presidents Reside in Wards Controlled by Rival Parties

Former Presidents of the ANC, including incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa, live in wards controlled by rival parties. This phenomenon is evident in various parts of the country, including KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The ANC's uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) failed to win the ward of its leader, former president Jacob Zuma, in the Nkandla Local Municipality by two votes, with the IFP retaining the seat.

The IFP won a majority of wards in Nkandla, with 44.87% of the vote, while the MKP garnered 44.83%. The municipality will continue to be run by the IFP, which controls five municipalities with an outright majority in the province. The IFP expressed gratitude to the electorate for their support and reaffirmed its commitment to serving communities through accountable and effective local government.

In the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape, the ANC did not field a candidate for the first time since the inaugural municipal polls in 1996. The African Transformation Movement's (ATM) candidate, Sabelo Ngqeleni, won ward 19 in the municipality, which includes former president Nelson Mandela's village, Qunu. Another ATM councillor is expected to be Qunu's traditional leader, iNkosikazi Nokwanele Balizulu.

The DA also made significant gains in the local government elections, with candidate Jo van Onselen winning ward 90 in Joburg, where President Cyril Ramaphosa lives and voted. Meanwhile, ANC candidate Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe reside in ward 73, which was won by DA candidate Dominic Günther Bauer. The ANC garnered just over 10% of the vote in that ward.

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal said it was pleased with the election outcome, despite losing municipalities and wards. Provincial convenor Mike Mabuyakhulu attributed the party's improved performance to increased support, with the ANC increasing its share of the vote from 16.9% in 2024 to over 20% this year. The party won several wards in the local government elections, but acknowledged that voter turnout was a concern.

The ANC has indicated that it accepts the election results and will use the outcome to confront its shortcomings and provide leadership as municipalities prepare to establish governments. The party's national executive committee will consider a mandating guide for coalition negotiations and receive reports on initial engagements with other political parties.

The IEC will hold a revote in the Bongani Community Hall voting district in the Siyancuma Local Municipality in Douglas, Northern Cape, after a group of people stormed a voting station and destroyed ballot papers. Six people have been charged with contravening the Municipal Electoral Act, and the IEC has ordered a revote to give the affected community a fair opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Key points

• ANC presidents live in wards controlled by rival parties, highlighting complexities in South Africa's local government elections.
• The IFP won a majority of wards in Nkandla, with the MKP failing to secure the ward of its leader, Jacob Zuma.
• The ANC increased its share of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal, but acknowledged concerns about voter turnout.