LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: ANC and DA in Dead Heat Across Key Metros as MK Dominates eThekwini
The latest Ipsos poll reveals a fierce, neck-and-neck battle between the ANC and DA in major South African metros, with the political capital of Tshwane tilting toward the DA at 31%. While the ANC leads narrowly in Johannesburg at 31% to the DA’s 27%, Jacob Zuma’s MK Party is set for a massive surge in eThekwini with 55% support. With local elections on 4 November, pollsters note that final…
Local elections in South Africa, set for November 4th, 2026, are heating up with the ANC and DA locked in a tight race across key metropolitan areas, while the MK Party is expected to dominate eThekwini. In Tshwane, the capital city of Tswane, the DA is leading the ANC by a slim margin of 31% to 27%. However, in Johannesburg, the ANC maintains a narrow 31% support compared to the DA's 27%.
MK Party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, is poised for a significant victory in eThekwini with 55% support, according to the latest Ipsos poll.
The Ipsos Pulse of the People omnibus poll, the largest survey in the country, reveals a neck-to-neck contest between the ANC and DA in four metropolitan areas - Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City. In eThekwini, MK is projected to win, with 55% of those surveyed expressing their intention to vote for the party. The ANC's stronghold is now predominantly in rural areas, while the DA is emerging as a larger party in the Free State province, previously dominated by the ANC.
Election experts note that the final outcomes will heavily rely on voter turnout strategies across the contested provinces. The margin of error for the poll, at a 95% confidence level and a 50% response rate, is ±1.77%. However, when those who are not planning to vote are excluded, the margins of error increase for smaller sample sizes. Despite the overall trend of concern, the intention to vote is increasing, especially in metro areas, which could play a crucial role in the election results.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
