LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: ANC faces coalition scramble after electoral rout as control of key metros slips away
With councils due to convene within 14 days, the ANC must choose between coalition deals, opposition and uneasy partnerships to retain municipal influence.
The African National Congress (ANC) faces significant challenges after a major electoral setback in the 2026 local government elections. In key metropolitan areas such as Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has emerged as the leading party, pushing the ANC out of the top position. Other metros, including eThekwini, Buffalo City, and Mangaung, also saw tight contention, making it difficult for the ANC to secure a governing majority.
With only 14 days until the new councils convene, the ANC must navigate a difficult choice between forming coalition deals, opting for opposition, or entering into alternative partnerships with smaller parties. The party's support has dropped sharply compared to 2021, with significant reductions in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, and the Western Cape. Within Gauteng, the DA has now emerged as the leading party in all three major municipalities.
With 99% of the national votes counted, the ANC secured 30.88% of valid votes (9,101,793 votes and 3,194 seats), leading in 125 of 213 municipalities. However, the scale of the ANC's electoral defeat is evident, as the party remains the top party in only one municipality - Buffalo City. The results highlight the urgent need for the ANC to engage in coalition negotiations and determine the strategic direction forward.
The party's leadership is expected to meet in the coming days to assess the outcome and determine their approach. While the ANC's Top Seven officials will meet on Monday and the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings will follow on Thursday, the party has yet to publish a formal local coalition strategy.
Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula emphasized that the ANC will not rush into coalitions or compromise service delivery continuity, but is open to entering opposition rather than signing unfavorable deals.
The upcoming negotiations will be tense, with the ANC needing to align its leadership and address the loss of service delivery continuity. The legal timeline adds urgency, with the Municipal Structures Act requiring the first council meetings to take place within 14 days of the declaration, driving intense two-week bargaining sessions. The ANC's performance in the elections is described as "catastrophic," with cost-of-living pressures and campaign shortcomings by senior leaders cited as contributing factors.
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