ANC Faces Further Losses in South Africa Local Elections

South African voters headed to polling stations on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, to elect representatives across eight major metropolitan municipalities, 44 district councils and 205 local councils. The election presents a significant test for the African National Congress (ANC), whose support has weakened amid public frustration over corruption, unemployment and deteriorating public services.

A total of 546 political parties are competing, according to the Associated Press. Election officials reported generally smooth voting, although long queues formed at several polling stations across the country.

The ANC is seeking to recover politically after losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994. Its share of the national vote fell from approximately 70% in 2004 to 40% in the 2024 general election.

Polling data cited by the BBC indicated that ANC support could fall further. An Ipsos survey placed the party at 30%, compared with 46% in the previous local elections in 2021.

President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his party's prospects during its final campaign rally, rejecting predictions of another electoral setback.

"What I'm seeing here is that the ANC is going higher and higher and on the 4th [of November] we will show those naysayers," said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

After casting his ballot in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa also highlighted participation across the country and the unusually large number of competing parties.

"The turnout of our people, as one looks at the TV screens, the queues that are all over the country, just makes this a very special and historic day," said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

He described the election as an unusually competitive contest for local government positions.

"My view is that we've never really, in years, had a local government election like this, where we have so many parties," said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Public dissatisfaction with municipal administration has become particularly visible in Alexandra, a township northeast of Johannesburg. Residents face accumulated rubbish, leaking sewage, damaged roads and unreliable access to electricity and water.

First-time voters have expressed different views about whether participating in elections can improve their communities. The BBC spoke with 18-year-old Sanele Ntombela, who intended to vote despite widespread frustration among his friends.

"We face many challenges in Alexandra. There's rubbish everywhere and we struggle with electricity and water and many other issues," said Sanele Ntombela, an 18-year-old first-time voter.

Another resident, 33-year-old Zandile Mncube, said she had registered but decided not to participate because she had lost confidence in local leadership.

"It makes no difference [whether I vote or not]. Things have gotten worse over the years," said Zandile Mncube.

However, 21-year-old first-time voter Karabo Mogano told the Associated Press that deteriorating living conditions had strengthened his determination to participate.

"When I got my first opportunity to vote, I didn't think it mattered. But this was important for me, you can see the kind of place we live in. Nothing works here," said Karabo Mogano.

In Soweto, residents have also raised concerns about unreliable basic services. Mduduzi Makhubo, 45, who has lived in the township throughout his life, described recurring water shortages.

"Every Monday we know we won't have water after 2pm," said Mduduzi Makhubo.

Makhubo intends to use his ballot to challenge what he considers the dismissive attitude of local authorities toward residents.

"Change the status quo," said Mduduzi Makhubo, describing what he hopes his vote will accomplish.

In Ekurhuleni, voters also reported water shortages affecting parts of the city for several days before the election. Long queues formed outside a Methodist Church polling station as residents waited to cast their ballots.

Meanwhile, 65-year-old Tembisa resident Raymond Selepe reflected on how his political outlook had changed since South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.

"I started voting in 1994, then it was very exciting. But now I think so many things have changed, even my vote is changing," said Raymond Selepe.

Municipal financial management represents another major challenge for the incoming administrations. According to the auditor-general's findings, only 39 of South Africa's municipalities received clean audits between 2024 and 2025, the highest available audit rating.

None of Gauteng's three metropolitan municipalities, Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, appeared on that list. Johannesburg has faced particular scrutiny over its finances, infrastructure maintenance and inconsistent public services.

The city's financial difficulties have prompted descriptions of its position as effectively bankrupt. Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke previously warned lawmakers that Johannesburg required sustained intervention.

"Needs ongoing attention," said auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke, describing Johannesburg's financial and administrative condition.

She also warned that continued financial deterioration would undermine the municipality's ability to provide essential services.

"If we don't that, we are going to continue on this slide where financial health deteriorates [and] where service delivery continues to be compromised, which is what we are living," said auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke.

Political analyst Melanie Verwoerd said the election would provide an important assessment of the ANC's performance and its remaining public support.

"Verdict ... and judgment," said political analyst Melanie Verwoerd, describing the significance of the election for the governing party.

Verwoerd also noted that expectations pointed toward a particularly difficult result for the ANC compared with its previous electoral performances.

The contest also carries implications for the Democratic Alliance (DA), which is competing against its national coalition partner at the municipal level. Veteran DA politician Helen Zille is seeking the Johannesburg mayoralty, testing the party's ability to expand beyond its traditional support base in Cape Town.

Another significant development is the participation of the MK Party, led by former president Jacob Zuma. The party is contesting local elections for the first time after emerging as the country's third-largest parliamentary party in the 2024 national election.

Zuma resigned as president in 2018 following corruption allegations and was expelled from the ANC in 2024 after establishing his new political movement. The MK Party has particularly strong support in KwaZulu-Natal, his home province.

South Africa's eight metropolitan municipalities have also become increasingly politically fragmented. Only three are governed by a single party, while all three metropolitan governments in Gauteng operate through coalitions, with the ANC remaining the largest individual party.

Voters do not directly elect municipal mayors. Instead, they select council representatives, who subsequently determine mayoral appointments.

Polling stations were scheduled to close at 9 p.m. Wednesday, with the results expected to determine whether the ANC can retain its influence over local government or face further losses to competing parties.