S’Africa’s ANC records worst-ever election result

The African National Congress (ANC) recorded its worst-ever electoral performance in South Africa's municipal elections, securing approximately 30.8% of the vote. According to Punch Nigeria, the party's result was 30.76%. IOL reports that this figure is its worst showing in any election since 1994, representing a significant decline from the 45.6% it won in 2021. DW News notes that the party's closest rival, the Democratic Alliance, won just under 25% of the vote.

The ANC lost its outright majority in six of the eight metropolitan regions, and according to IOL, it currently holds no outright majority in a single metro. DW News reports that because no outright winner was declared in several major cities, politicians are expected to engage in difficult coalition talks to form municipal governments. The party's performance follows public frustration over crime, high unemployment, and water and electricity shortages.

In response to the results, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula told reporters the party must work to win back public confidence, stating they cannot rely solely on their history. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma told IOL that the leadership needs to take responsibility and correct the party's mistakes. While President Cyril Ramaphosa has not yet addressed the performance directly, DW News reports he admitted in a weekly letter that municipal failures have contributed to declining public trust.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, DW News, IOL — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.