{
  "id": 12450309,
  "title": "Local elections 2026: MK can win Joburg outright, says mayoral candidate Bongani Baloyi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/local-elections-2026-mk-can-win-joburg-outright-says-mayoral",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T19:32:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-06-mk-can-win-joburg-outright-says-mayoral-candidate-bongani-baloyi/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bongani Baloyi, the mayoral candidate for Joburg on the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party ticket, is predicting a strong showing for his party in the upcoming local elections on November 4. Despite polls indicating the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African National Congress (ANC) leading the race, Baloyi believes MK can emerge as the biggest political force in Johannesburg. The party is contesting its first municipal elections, making Johannesburg a crucial test for potential local government power.\n\nBaloyi is campaigning across Johannesburg's 15 wards, focusing on townships and informal settlements like Soweto, Orange Farm, Diepsloot, Alexandra, and Ivory Park, as well as the inner city. He attributes his party's rising support to voters' anger over failing basic services and perceived aloofness from ANC leaders. Baloyi claims MK's strength lies in its ability to eat into the ANC's base, which could significantly impact the outcome if the ANC's support declines.\n\nHowever, recent polls paint a different picture. A Social Research Foundation poll conducted in July shows the DA leading with 42% support, followed by the ANC (18%) and MK (13%). Another Ipsos survey from September places the ANC ahead of the DA in Johannesburg, with ActionSA also garnering double-digit support. In the mayoral race, Helen Zille of the DA leads with 36%, followed by the ANC candidate at 27% and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba at 13%.\n\nBaloyi insists his party's prediction is not merely based on past performance, as MK won 45.93% of the national ballot in KwaZulu-Natal in 2024, surpassing the ANC's 17.62%. He acknowledges the complexity of governing Johannesburg but argues that voters have a choice between continuing the status quo or supporting a party with a proven track record of local government management. He also rules out working with both the DA and the Freedom Front Plus, citing policy differences, and remains noncommittal about potential coalitions, urging voters to \"brace themselves for a surprise\" in the upcoming elections.",
  "summary": "MK Party mayoral candidate Bongani Baloyi is betting on a breakthrough in Johannesburg, despite polls placing the DA and ANC ahead and coalition talks looming.",
  "key_points": [
    "Bongani Baloyi, MK candidate, predicts MK will win Johannesburg in 2026 elections.",
    "MK contesting first municipal elections, crucial test for local government power.",
    "Recent polls show DA and ANC leading, MK trailing with 13% support."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}