The African National Congress (ANC) has suffered its worst municipal election result since the end of apartheid, with its national vote share falling to 30.81%, according to figures released with 99% of results captured. This represents a significant decline from its 45.6% in the 2021 local elections and 64.9% in 2006. The result leaves the party without an outright majority in any of the country's eight metropolitan councils.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa was expected to declare the final results on Sunday night. The ANC's decline has already reshaped national politics, having lost its majority in the 2024 national election, taking 40.2% of the vote and entering a coalition government with the Democratic Alliance and other parties. In the municipal count, the DA stood at 24.6%, while the uMkhonto weSizwe Party had 9.72%.
The ANC controls 53 of South Africa's 213 councils outright, but has the most votes in 128 councils, many of which are hung councils where no party has won enough seats to govern alone. Across the country, 135 councils are hung, compared with 66 in 2021. The party has also lost support across the metros, with its vote share standing at 20.27% in Johannesburg, 20.22% in Tshwane, and 22.11% in Ekurhuleni.
In eThekwini, the ANC's support fell to 16.46%, while Buffalo City was the only metro where it remained above 40%, at 41.93%. The DA led the count in Johannesburg, but coalition negotiations will determine who governs the city and other councils without a clear majority. The ANC and DA may need to negotiate with one another or seek support from smaller parties to form municipal governments.
Party figures have called for accountability, with former minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma saying ANC leaders needed to examine what went wrong and take responsibility for the outcome. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula also acknowledged the scale of the defeat, saying the party would listen to voters and address its problems.
The results have renewed questions about the ANC's leadership and President Cyril Ramaphosa's position in the party. Senior party members are discussing what should happen next, while an analyst warned that coalition failures could intensify calls for Ramaphosa to leave office earlier than planned. Political analyst Dale McKinley cautioned against describing the ANC as finished, noting that it remained South Africa's largest party.
Despite the decline, the ANC still maintains a significant presence in South African politics. The party will need to regroup and reassess its strategy to regain the trust of voters. The municipal election results have significant implications for the country's governance and the ANC's future prospects.
Key points
- The ANC's vote share has fallen to 30.81%, its worst municipal result since 1994.
- The party no longer has an outright majority in any of the country's eight metropolitan councils.
- Coalition negotiations will determine who governs the cities and councils without a clear majority.
