{
  "id": 17199744,
  "title": "LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: MK support down as Zuma disappears from stump — new big poll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/local-elections-2026-mk-support-down-as-zuma-disappears-from-stump",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T08:44:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-30-mk-support-down-as-zuma-disappears-from-stump-new-big-poll/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new Ipsos poll released on Friday, 30 October, highlights three major stories emerging from the 2026 election campaign surveys: the ongoing decline of the ANC, the growth of the DA, and the rise of MK. However, the latter's progress has been hindered by Jacob Zuma's illness and internal party issues. Following Zuma's absence from the campaign trail since early October, support for MK in eThekwini has plummeted by eight percentage points, dropping from 55% in the first-wave Ipsos poll to 47%.\n\nThe ANC's support has also taken a significant hit, reaching its lowest measured levels at 30% nationally, 27% in Johannesburg, and a mere 10% in Durban. Ipsos director and political analyst Mari Harris attributes this downturn to the party's loss of dominance in politics, Parliament, and most local governments in the country. Harris notes that no party currently commands a strong majority support.\n\nThe DA, meanwhile, is making steady progress, leading the ANC in Johannesburg (30% to 27%). In Tshwane, the DA's support is at 34% compared to the ANC's 31%, aligning with other polls. Harris emphasizes that South Africans are increasingly favoring the formation of workable coalitions, both locally and at the municipal level. According to her, two-thirds of South Africans believe that different political parties should collaborate on local government and municipal levels.\n\nDespite the fragmented political landscape, with 546 registered parties, Harris predicts that most metropolitan municipalities will have new coalition governments following the elections. The final push by the ANC in the last weeks of campaigning might help stem their losses, but it remains to be seen if they can regain momentum this time around.",
  "summary": "A new Ipsos poll, released on Friday, 30 October, points to the three major stories of the election campaign surveys: the continued decline of the ANC, the growth of the DA (but not as high as it wants) and the growth of MK (but stunted by Jacob Zuma’s illness and shenanigans in the party).",
  "key_points": [
    "MK support drops 8% in eThekwini as Jacob Zuma disappears from campaign trail",
    "ANC support hits lowest measured levels at 30% nationally",
    "DA leads ANC in Johannesburg with 30% support compared to ANC's 27%"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The erosion of traditional party dominance and the decline of MK's momentum signal a shift toward a fragmented political landscape defined by inevitable coalition governments across metropolitan municipalities.",
  "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."
}