ANC Wins Largest Share of Votes in South African Municipal Elections

The African National Congress (ANC) has emerged as the largest party in the South African municipal elections, securing 30.76% of the vote and 3,246 council seats. However, the party has faced significant losses, with its share of the vote declining from 45.59% in 2021. The ANC will need to form coalition partnerships to govern key cities, including Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Nelson Mandela Bay.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) secured 24.64% of the vote and 1,695 seats, becoming the second-largest party. The DA retained an outright majority in Cape Town and emerged as the largest party in several other major cities. However, the party does not have enough seats to govern these cities alone. Former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe party secured 9.76% of the vote and 785 seats, leading in the municipality covering the eastern port city of Durban.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reported a turnout of 52%, up 6.1 percentage points from 2021, with approximately 14.9 million of the 29.2 million registered voters casting ballots on November 4. The IEC declared the elections free and fair. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula described the outcome as "catastrophic" for the party, but accepted the results, calling them an opportunity for "honest reflection" and renewal.

The ANC has stated that it will prioritize community interests, transparency, and effective governance in coalition talks. The party will approach negotiations "in good faith," guided by the constitution and community interests. The DA's federal executive has authorized coalition discussions, saying prospective partners must support accountable government, reliable services, and fighting corruption.

Other parties, including ActionSA, have begun to position themselves for coalition talks. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba stated that his party would not support a DA administration in Johannesburg with Helen Zille as mayor. The ANC and ActionSA have started preliminary "talks about talks" to prevent a vacuum in local governance.

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has urged the ANC to reconsider cooperation with the DA and instead work with his party, Zuma's group, and the South African Communist Party. However, ANC Secretary-General Mbalula stated that the party has not adopted a position on that proposal. President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that "the delivery of essential services cannot be held hostage by political disagreements."

The municipal elections were marked by concerns over water shortages, electricity failures, and corruption. The ANC has pledged to "confront poor governance" and strengthen oversight. The party lost its parliamentary majority in 2024 and now leads a ten-party Government of National Unity, including the DA. Its next leadership contest is in 2027, ahead of national elections in 2029.

Key points

• ANC secures 30.76% of vote, but faces steep losses, needs coalition partners.
• DA emerges as second-largest party, secures 24.64% of vote.
• Coalition talks to begin, with ANC prioritizing community interests, transparency, and effective governance.