LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: ANC losing wall-to-wall support as ActionSA, DA show growth
While results were still being counted on Wednesday afternoon, the signs are dire for the ANC in both cities and rural areas.
The 2026 local elections have seen the African National Congress (ANC) facing significant losses across various regions in South Africa. As results were being counted on Wednesday afternoon, the ANC appeared to be losing support not only in urban areas but also in rural municipalities and provinces. The party's stronghold in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape was under threat, with the ANC potentially losing majorities in several municipalities.
In Gauteng, the ANC was at risk of losing control in multiple wards, including Soweto, Atteridgeville, Soshanguve, and Tembisa, areas that had traditionally been the party's stronghold. The CSIR's election model further compounded the ANC's predicament, predicting declines for the party, the Inkatha Freedom Party (MK), and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at the national level.
The model also indicated potential declines for the ANC in the Free State and North-West provinces, areas where the party was attempting to regain its footing.
Despite the ANC's struggles, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA continued to perform well, siphoning votes from the ANC and EFF. ANC National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe stated that it was premature to draw firm conclusions, as several areas, including townships, were still being counted, and the party could potentially improve its share from the current 32%. However, the party's performance in these key areas would likely determine the final outcome of the elections.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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