In brief
Provisional figures show the ANC with about 32% of the vote, a slim advantage over the DA's 25% as two-thirds of ballots were counted. The ANC leads in six provinces, while the DA dominates major metros such as Johannesburg and Cape Town, and the MK Party tops KwaZulu-Natal. Full results are pending by the weekend, and coalition talks in key cities remain undecided.
In Johannesburg, Sunday night’s provisional results show South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) maintaining a narrow lead over the Democratic Alliance (DA), with the electoral commission reporting the ANC at roughly 32% of the vote versus the DA’s 25% after two‑thirds of ballots were counted.
The electoral commission confirmed that the ANC was ahead in six of the country’s nine provinces—North West, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Free State—while the DA led in Gauteng and the Western Cape, and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party topped KwaZulu‑Natal.
In municipal contests, the DA held the advantage in six of the eight metropolitan councils, including Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mangaung and Cape Town, where it was on track to retain control with about 62% of the vote. The MK Party was leading in eThekwini, which covers Durban.
These figures are provisional, the commission warned, as the counting, verification and auditing of ballots continue. The final collation of results is expected to be completed by the weekend.
Because mayors are chosen by municipal councils rather than by direct vote, parties that do not win an outright majority must negotiate coalitions to form governing bodies. The DA’s strong showing in the majority of major metros could strengthen its bargaining position, while the ANC may seek backing from smaller parties to keep influence. The MK Party’s gains in KwaZulu‑Natal could also give it leverage in local coalition talks.
