ANC faces worst election result with 31.73% of votes counted
The ruling party's support has fallen below a third nationally as counting for the 2026 local government elections continues.
South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) is heading for its worst-ever election result, with support slipping to 31.73% of the national vote as counting in the 2026 local government elections continues. With 87% of voting districts counted on Friday, 6 November, the Democratic Alliance (DA) was in second place with 23.99%, and former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party had climbed to 9.41%.
These figures represent a significant setback for the ANC, which has governed South Africa since 1994, and has seen a steady decline in electoral support over two decades. The party's declining support has been attributed to voter dissatisfaction over unemployment, crime, corruption, and poor service delivery, with municipalities facing criticism over failing water supplies, power interruptions, and deteriorating infrastructure.
The results are expected to have significant consequences for major metropolitan municipalities, with coalition negotiations likely to play a central role in determining who governs. In Johannesburg, the DA was leading the partial count, while the ANC faced a substantial challenge from smaller parties. The MK Party was putting pressure on the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, with the outcome in eThekwini municipality emerging as a key contest.
Why it mattersVoters are dissatisfied with unemployment, crime, corruption, and poor service delivery, impacting municipal functions.