What ‘catastrophic’ South Africa local election results mean for ANC

South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) recorded its worst-ever local election result, signalling that public anger over corruption and poor municipal services is further eroding the party’s longstanding support. Although it remained the largest party nationally, it lost ground in major cities, adding to the political shift that began when it lost its parliamentary majority in 2024.

The ANC won 31 percent of the vote, down from 46 percent in 2021 and 66 percent in 2006; the Democratic Alliance (DA) received about 25 percent. The DA overtook the ANC in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni, while retaining Cape Town. With no party holding a majority in many cities, parties have 14 days to negotiate coalitions before councils are formed; disagreements over inequality and service delivery may complicate talks.