{
  "id": 18900315,
  "title": "South Africa’s ANC battered by local election losses ahead of coalition talks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/south-africas-anc-battered-by-local-election-losses-ahead-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T08:54:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/world-news/south-africas-anc-battered-by-local-election-losses-ahead-of-coalition-talks-5010167"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) suffered significant losses in recent municipal elections, as shown by near-complete results released on Sunday, according to Reuters. With 99% of votes tallied, the ANC secured 31% of the votes, trailing its main rival, the Democratic Alliance (DA), which garnered 25%. Former President Jacob Zuma's party, uMkhonto weSizwe, came in third place with approximately 10% of the votes. The remaining votes were distributed among numerous smaller parties.\n\nThe election results mark a substantial setback for the ANC, which has experienced a steady decline in vote share over the past 15 years. This decline is primarily attributed to the party's inability to provide satisfactory basic services like water and electricity. In several cities, including Johannesburg, no single party secured more than 50% of the votes. Consequently, the ANC and DA will need to form a coalition or negotiate with smaller parties to become majority municipal governments.\n\nANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula labeled the election outcome as catastrophic for the ANC but emphasized that the party would not resort to begging when coalition talks commence. Mbalula urged the party to address its shortcomings before coalition negotiations begin. Parties will have 14 days to negotiate, enabling cities to form their councils.\n\nIn Johannesburg, the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA) led the polls with around 35% of the votes, compared to 20% for the ANC. This outcome could potentially benefit DA veteran Helen Zille, who campaigned on addressing issues such as potholes and leaking water pipes. The DA stated that it intends to initiate coalition discussions with political parties committed to clean and accountable governance, tackling corruption, providing services to all, upholding the rule of law, and advocating non-racialism.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "ANC loses substantial votes in South Africa's municipal elections, securing 31% of the total",
    "Democratic Alliance (DA) emerges as main rival with 25% of the votes",
    "Coalition talks to commence in 14 days as no party secures majority"
  ],
  "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."
}