In brief
South Africans voted in the municipal elections on Wednesday, with sentiment around corruption, crime and heavy service failures. Reuters polling suggests the ANC could see its first ever vote share under 40%, and vote totals indicate no party will win a major metropolitan outright, putting many metros into coalition governments. The Democratic Alliance is expected to make gains in Johannesburg, while the election outcome will shape the ANC's succession race ahead of the next national election in 2029.
South Africans turned out to vote in municipal elections on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in cities across the country including Johannesburg and Pretoria, amid growing discontent over corruption, crime and failing public services, Reuters reported.
Polls indicate the ANC’s share could decline to below 40% for the first time, after falling below 50% in the 2021 municipal elections. No other party is large enough to take a major metropolitan outright, suggesting a wave of coalition governments, Reuters noted.
The Democratic Alliance is tipped to capture the most votes in Johannesburg, though it may still fall short of a majority, the outlet said. The DA also retains a strong chance to hold Cape Town.
Results will be announced on Sunday, but the outcome will set the stage for the next national election in 2029 and could influence the ANC’s leadership race as President Cyril Ramaphosa approaches the end of his term as party leader in 2027.
"Municipal failures have contributed to declining public trust and confidence in democratic governance," said Ramaphosa, acknowledging failures within his party but expressing optimism the party will regain support.
"This election is an opportunity to turn this around."
Unconfirmed details include the exact percentage the ANC will secure, as actual vote counts are pending. Until the Sunday announcement, the projected ANC decline and coalition prospects remain expectations based on current polls.
