LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Four national polls show ANC decline, DA growth and MK drift
National polls are useful for checking the national pulse, but they blur the ANC’s decline across urban South Africa, particularly in Gauteng.
Four national polls released in 2026 indicate a decline for the African National Congress (ANC), a rise for the Democratic Alliance (DA), and an uncertain trajectory for the MK party. The polls show the ANC's national support has dropped by six percentage points since the 2024 election, while the DA has gained three percentage points. The MK party appears to be holding steady, with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) showing a slight fluctuation, depending on the source.
While national polls offer a glimpse into the broader political landscape, they do not accurately capture the nuances of local government elections. This is especially true for metropolitan areas and large towns, where smaller parties can wield significant influence. The Independent Democratic Front (IFP), for example, has a national share of 3-5%, yet it holds substantial power in eThekwini.
Similarly, the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) commands a strong presence in Tshwane, and ActionSA is present across all three Gauteng metropolitan areas. Even the pan-Africanist People's Convention (PA), which garners fewer than 2.5% nationally, can still impact coalition-building in metros and the rural Western Cape.
Despite their limitations, national polls remain valuable references for assessing the local elections' outcomes. The ANC's decreasing popularity among urban voters suggests that its national share is more substantial than what it might achieve in metropolitan regions. However, the exact impact of the ANC's decline in other parts of South Africa remains unclear.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
