LOCAL ELECTIONS: Voters splinter among parties as support for the ANC plunges
New polling suggests voters are starting to favour smaller parties rather than rallying behind the DA as the ANC loses ground across the metros ahead of November’s local government elections.
Voters in South Africa are increasingly favouring smaller parties over both the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) as the country approaches its local government elections in November. Recent polling data suggests the ANC's support is declining, falling to just 31% according to Ipsos research, a significant drop from the 45.6% it had in 2021.
The survey, conducted between July and July, indicates a fragmentation of support among multiple parties, with the DA at 27%, the Independent Democratic Front (MK) at 15%, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at 12%, with smaller parties accounting for an additional 15%. This fragmentation is seen as a result of the ANC's loss of dominance, without a clear rise of a rival party to challenge them.
Experts caution that the decline in ANC support may not necessarily translate into a shift towards the DA, as it may merely reflect the growing political fragmentation in the country. The City of Cape Town, where the DA has historically been strong, is also on track to see a significant shift, with the ANC predicted to win 34% of the vote, the DA 27%, MK 15%, and the EFF 7% of likely voters.
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