ANC hit by worst local election

ANC Hit by Worst Local Election Showing Yet

South Africa’s ruling ANC suffers historic election defeat as voters demand better basic services and accountable leadership.

South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) has suffered its worst-ever result in local government elections, marking a major turning point in the country’s political history. The election, held on November 4, 2026, showed that many South Africans are losing confidence in the party that has governed the country since the end of apartheid in 1994.

The election result in simple numbers

According to the final results announced by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on November 8, the ANC received just 30.76% of the national vote, a significant fall from the 45.59% it received in the 2021 local elections.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) came second with 24.64%, while former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party received 9.76%. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) secured 6.22%, and ActionSA received 5.67%.

Although the ANC remained the largest political party, its support has dropped considerably. It secured outright control of only 53 municipalities. The DA won 12 municipalities. Out of the country's 213 municipalities, only 74 had clear majorities, meaning coalition negotiations will be important in many councils.

The election attracted approximately 14.9 million voters, representing a turnout of 52%.

Why are South African voters upset?

One of the biggest reasons behind the ANC's poor performance is growing frustration over the delivery of basic services. Many communities continue to experience water shortages, electricity interruptions, damaged roads, poor sanitation, broken streetlights and irregular rubbish collection.

For ordinary citizens, these problems affect everyday life. Families struggle when clean water is unavailable, businesses lose money during electricity outages, and communities become frustrated when local authorities fail to repair roads or maintain public facilities.

Unemployment, poverty and rising living costs have also increased public dissatisfaction. Many young people feel that the government has not created enough opportunities for them.

Corruption scandals, political disagreements and concerns about poor leadership have further weakened public confidence in the ANC. Many voters believe politicians should be held responsible for failing to improve living conditions.

What could happen next?

The election results could significantly change how South Africa is governed at the local level. With many municipalities lacking an outright majority, political parties will have to negotiate coalition agreements to form governments.

The ANC may need to cooperate with smaller parties to remain in control of certain municipalities. Meanwhile, opposition parties have an opportunity to increase their influence and demonstrate that they can deliver better services.

The result also places pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC leaders to rebuild public trust, address corruption and improve local government performance.

Conclusion

The 2026 local elections send a powerful message to South Africa's political leaders. Winning elections is no longer enough; citizens expect reliable services, employment opportunities, honest leadership and visible improvements in their communities.

The ANC's historic decline shows that voters are becoming increasingly willing to support alternative political parties when their expectations are not met. The biggest challenge for the ANC now is proving that it can listen to the people and deliver meaningful change.