South Africa’s governing African National Congress (ANC) has suffered a significant setback in the country’s 2026 local government elections after securing just 30.76 per cent of the national vote, marking a further decline in support for the party that has dominated the country’s political landscape since the end of apartheid.
The results represent a major development for the ANC, which has governed South Africa nationally since 1994.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) announced the final election results on November 8, confirming that the ANC remained the largest political party by national vote share but failed to secure outright control in most municipalities.
According to the commission, the ANC received 30.76 per cent of the vote and secured 3,246 council seats.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) came second with 24.64 per cent, securing 1,695 council seats, while the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) received 9.76 per cent and won 785 seats.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) secured 6.22 per cent of the vote, while ActionSA received 5.67 per cent.
The results underline the changing nature of South African politics, with voters distributing their support among several political parties rather than concentrating their votes around the ANC.
The election also increases the importance of coalition negotiations in municipalities where no political party has obtained an outright majority.
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ANC loses ground after decades of political dominance
The ANC’s declining electoral support has been a major feature of South Africa’s changing political environment.
Since the country’s first democratic elections in 1994, the party has maintained a dominant position in national politics, largely benefiting from its historical role in the struggle against apartheid.
However, the party has faced growing public dissatisfaction over several issues, including unemployment, corruption allegations, crime, electricity supply problems and inadequate public services.
The decline became particularly visible during the 2024 general elections, when the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid.
That election forced the party to negotiate a Government of National Unity with other political parties, including the Democratic Alliance.
The 2026 local government election results suggest that the challenges facing the ANC have extended further into municipal politics.
Its 30.76 per cent national vote share represents a substantial decline from its 45.9 per cent performance in the 2021 local government elections.
The outcome raises further questions about the party’s ability to regain public confidence and strengthen its support at the municipal level.
Opposition parties make significant gains
The Democratic Alliance maintained its position as the country’s second-largest political party, securing 24.64 per cent of the national vote.
The party also achieved outright control in 12 municipalities and emerged as the leading party in 32 municipalities.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party, which entered electoral politics in 2024, secured 9.76 per cent of the vote and won 785 council seats.
Its performance demonstrates the growing presence of newer political movements in South Africa’s electoral landscape.
The Economic Freedom Fighters received 6.22 per cent, while ActionSA secured 5.67 per cent.
Other political parties and independent candidates collectively received approximately 22.97 per cent of the vote.
The results indicate that political competition is becoming increasingly distributed among established parties, newer movements and independent candidates.
This development could influence future political negotiations, particularly in municipalities where smaller parties hold enough council seats to influence the formation of governing coalitions.
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Coalition negotiations become important in municipalities
One of the major implications of the election results is the number of municipalities where political parties will need to work together to establish governing administrations.
According to the IEC, the ANC achieved outright control in 53 municipalities and emerged as the leading party in 128 municipalities.
However, being the largest party in a municipality does not automatically guarantee control of its council.
Political parties must secure more than half of the available council seats to obtain an outright majority.
Where no party achieves that threshold, coalition arrangements or other forms of political cooperation may be necessary.
These negotiations are important because municipal councils oversee essential public services, including water supply, sanitation, local roads, waste management and electricity distribution.
The composition of municipal administrations can therefore influence how local budgets are allocated and how public services are delivered.
The election results are expected to lead to negotiations involving several political parties as they seek to establish working arrangements in councils without outright majorities.
Voter turnout reaches 52 per cent
The IEC also reported that approximately 14.9 million South Africans participated in the 2026 local government elections.
The national voter turnout stood at 52 per cent, representing an increase from the 45.9 per cent recorded during the 2021 local government elections.
A total of approximately 29.2 million voters were registered for the election.
The commission said the elections were conducted largely peacefully and acknowledged the participation of citizens across the country.
The increased turnout provides an indication of greater participation compared with the previous municipal election.
However, the results also show that a considerable proportion of registered voters did not participate.
The commission’s announcement marked the completion of the national results process, although a revote was ordered for one affected voting district in the Northern Cape after ballot papers were destroyed.
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What the results mean for South Africa’s political future
The ANC’s performance represents an important moment in South Africa’s democratic development.
Although the party remains the largest political organisation based on national vote share, its reduced support demonstrates that its historical electoral dominance can no longer be taken for granted.
The outcome also creates opportunities for opposition parties to increase their influence in municipal government and participate in decisions affecting local communities.
For the ANC, the results place renewed attention on its relationship with voters, particularly concerning unemployment, economic opportunities, infrastructure and public service delivery.
For the opposition, the challenge will be translating electoral support into effective municipal administration and maintaining cooperation where coalition governments are required.
The results could also influence political discussions ahead of future national electoral contests, particularly as parties assess their performance and consider adjustments to their policies and campaign strategies.
Ultimately, the 2026 local government elections have demonstrated the changing political dynamics in South Africa.
The ANC remains a major force in the country’s politics, but the election results show a more competitive political environment in which opposition parties and smaller political movements have secured greater representation.
The coming months will be important as newly elected councillors take their positions and political parties negotiate how municipalities without outright majorities will be governed.
