South Africans went to the polls on Wednesday in local government elections that will determine the future of the country's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC). More than 29 million registered voters are eligible to choose councillors for 257 municipalities, with a record 136,790 candidates vying for 10,526 council seats. The elections are seen as a test of the ANC's popularity, with the party's support declining in recent years.
The ANC's decline in popularity is evident in recent polls, which suggest the party will emerge smaller than in previous elections. In 2004, the ANC took close to 70% of the national vote, while in 2021, it fell below 50% for the first time, to 45.59%. The latest surveys put the ANC at around 30% among registered voters, with some polls indicating support as low as 22%.
The elections are seen as a service delivery election, with voters expressing frustration with the ANC's failure to provide basic services such as water, electricity, and sanitation. The Auditor-General found that only 39 municipalities received clean audits in 2024-25, while Parliament's budget office reported that two-thirds of municipalities are in financial distress.
The failure of municipalities to provide basic services is evident in cities such as Johannesburg, which has had ten mayors in a decade. In the week of the election, suburbs have gone without water for days and weeks, electricity outages are frequent, and rubbish is piling up. The national government has responded by allocating an additional R21.8 billion to local government for basic services.
The ANC has promised a 100-day programme of repairs if it keeps or wins councils, including fixing potholes and streetlights, stopping leaks and sewage spills, and clearing illegal dumps. However, voters have heard similar promises before, and many blame the ANC for failing municipal services. The rising cost of living has sharpened the anger, with households paying more for everything but receiving unreliable services.
One of the most critical contests is in eThekwini, the Durban metro, where the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, founded by former president Jacob Zuma, is expected to perform well. The MK Party has been strengthened by the arrival of former ANC eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede, and its mayoral candidate, Mxolisi Phakathi.
The outcome of the elections will have significant implications for the national election due by August 2029. The ANC's decline in popularity has raised questions about its ability to command the cities, and the possibility of a coalition government at the national level.
Key points
- The ANC's support has declined significantly in recent years, with some polls indicating support as low as 22%.
- The elections are seen as a test of the ANC's popularity and its ability to provide basic services.
- The outcome of the elections will have significant implications for the national election due by August 2029.
