South Africa Votes in Local Elections as ANC Faces More Losses

South Africans voted in municipal elections on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, as anger over corruption, crime and failing public services threatened to deal another blow to the governing African National Congress. More than 500 parties contested the elections across nearly 300 municipalities, which are responsible for basic service provision like water, electricity and refuse collection. Polling stations were open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with results expected to be announced on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Falling Support

The party of Nelson Mandela fell below 50% support for the first time in the 2021 municipal elections and could drop below 40% this time, according to polls. At its peak, the ANC got 70% of the vote in the 2004 general election, but its share dropped to 40% two decades later after it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994 when the racist apartheid system ended. With no other party large enough to replace it, many cities are heading towards unstable coalition governments. Such arrangements have been partly blamed for failures to deliver basic services, including water and electricity. Growing numbers of South Africans are frustrated by power cuts, water shortages, high unemployment and poor public safety.

Leadership and Key Races

The election outcome will set the stage for the next national election in 2029 and could influence the ANC's succession race as President Cyril Ramaphosa approaches the end of his term as party leader in 2027. Mr. Ramaphosa has acknowledged failures within his party, stating that municipal failures have contributed to declining public trust and confidence in democratic governance, though he expressed optimism that the party would regain support. Control of Johannesburg, South Africa's commercial hub, is the biggest prize. The race remained open after an energetic mayoral campaign by Democratic Alliance candidate Helen Zille, who was projected to win the most votes but fall short of a majority. The DA is heavily favoured to retain control of Cape Town, and has been in a coalition with the ANC and smaller parties after the ANC lost its national majority in 2024.

Context

Local government elections in South Africa decide how towns and cities are run on a daily basis, directly affecting things like local roads, trash collection, water and power supply. Discontent at the local level often reflects wider national frustrations with economic growth and public service delivery.