ANC slips to about 30% in local polls, losing grip on power

What Happened

South Africa's African National Congress recorded roughly 30% of the vote in the November 4‑8, 2026 local government elections, its worst showing ever and a sharp drop of about 15 percentage points from the 45% it secured in 2021. The Democratic Alliance stayed close behind with about 25% of the vote, while the MK Party led by former president Jacob Zuma captured around 10%. More than 500 parties contested, with seven major parties sharing roughly 30% of the total vote.

Reaction

ANC Secretary‑General Fikile Mbalula called the outcome "catastrophic" and urged the party to be humble, listen to people and earn trust through service rather than slogans. DA leader Geordin Hill‑Lewis said the result marked a big step forward for his party to become the biggest in the country. In Johannesburg the DA put forward 75‑year‑old former leader Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate, even staging a snorkeling stunt in a water‑filled road trench to spotlight service failures.

Context

The ANC’s decline stretches over a decade, from the 70% dominance it enjoyed after apartheid to losing its parliamentary majority in 2024 and now facing fragmented councils that will require complex coalition talks. Voter frustration over chronic water, electricity and sanitation problems, plus long‑standing corruption scandals, fueled the swing away from the party.