South Africans vote in local elections as polls point to further ANC losses

South Africa held local elections on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Polls cited by the BBC, the Guardian and DW pointed to support for the African National Congress (ANC) falling below its 2021 local election result of about 46%.

The ANC, which had governed since the end of apartheid in 1994, lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 national election, winning about 40% of the vote. It is now a partner in the national coalition government with the Democratic Alliance (DA).

Water supply, electricity and other public services were prominent election issues. Eight main cities, or metros, are at stake, including Johannesburg, which is governed by an ANC-led coalition. Voters choose councillors and parties, not mayors. Councils elect mayors afterwards.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi were published before polls closed and do not include results, seat counts or turnout.

What polls and reports indicate

An Ipsos poll put ANC support at 30%, according to the BBC. The Guardian reported polls showing the ANC on less than a third of the vote, but still likely to be the largest party. DW said support could fall below 40%.

Polls suggested the DA, whose candidate for Johannesburg mayor is Helen Zille, could win the most votes in that city, according to DW. The DA was expected to retain Cape Town, although the Guardian said it was likely to receive a smaller share than the 58% it won in 2021.

Former President Jacob Zuma's MK party was seen as a strong challenger in Durban. The Guardian reported MK polling above 40% in eThekwini, with the ANC, which won 42% there in 2021, at around 10%.

According to the Guardian, Johannesburg has had 10 mayors in as many years and had faced water shortages for more than a week. The BBC said a recent auditor-general report gave 39 clean audits between 2024 and 2025, none of them to Johannesburg, Tshwane or Ekurhuleni.

DW reported that results were expected on Sunday. The Guardian said the electoral commission has a week to announce final results, and parties then have two weeks to form councils and elect mayors.

What is disputed

The BBC report gives both 257 and nearly 300 municipalities. The Guardian gives 257, and DW's breakdown adds up to that figure.

What each side says

President Cyril Ramaphosa denied that the ANC was in a downward spiral, telling supporters at its final election rally "we will show those naysayers", the BBC reported. DW quoted him as saying: "Municipal failures have contributed to declining public trust and confidence in democratic governance".

Analyst Melanie Verwoerd described the vote as a verdict on the ANC, according to the BBC. Election officials said voting was going smoothly despite long queues at some polling stations, the BBC reported.

Analysis

If the polls prove accurate, more councils could depend on coalition talks, though the reports do not say which parties would govern in Johannesburg or other contested metros. Analysts cited by the Guardian link frequent changes of coalition government to poor service delivery, which could make the stability of any new deals a central test for all parties. Reported divisions within the ANC over working with the DA in Gauteng may also shape negotiations. A different outcome remains possible, because polling figures vary and the reports do not include results.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.