South Africa Election Losses Put ANC Under Pressure

The African National Congress (ANC), South Africa’s governing political party, is facing one of the biggest political challenges in its history following a disappointing performance in the 2026 local government elections. Near-final results show that the party has lost significant support across the country, raising questions about its political future and its ability to maintain control of important municipalities.
According to figures reported by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), approximately 99% of voting results had been captured as of November 8, 2026. The ANC was leading nationally with 30.81% of the vote, while its main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), had approximately 24.6%. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, associated with former President Jacob Zuma, secured about 9.72%, placing it third nationally.
The ANC's performance represents a major decline compared with the 2021 local government elections, when it received 45.6% of the national vote. Its latest result is its weakest electoral performance since the end of apartheid in 1994. These figures demonstrate the growing dissatisfaction among South African voters.
Why the ANC's losses matter
The election results are significant because the ANC has dominated South African politics since the country's first democratic elections in 1994. Its declining popularity suggests that many citizens are no longer satisfied with the party's leadership and performance.
One of the major reasons behind the losses is dissatisfaction with basic service delivery. Many communities continue to experience water shortages, electricity problems, poor roads, unemployment and inadequate municipal services. Corruption allegations and concerns about poor administration have also weakened public confidence in the party.
The results are particularly worrying for the ANC in major cities. In Johannesburg, the party received approximately 20.27% of the vote, while the DA secured around 35%. In Tshwane, the ANC received approximately 20.22%, showing how much support it has lost in important urban centres.
The decline also affects the party's national leadership. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula described the outcome as catastrophic and acknowledged that the party needed to examine its mistakes and rebuild public confidence. The results may increase pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa and other senior party officials to introduce internal reforms.
According to reporting by IOL on November 8, the ANC also failed to secure an outright majority in any of South Africa's eight metropolitan municipalities. 
What coalition talks may look like next
With no single party securing enough support to govern several major municipalities independently, coalition negotiations are expected to play an important role in determining South Africa's local political leadership.
A coalition government occurs when two or more political parties agree to work together to control a council. Smaller political parties may therefore become very influential because their support could determine which larger party forms a government.
The ANC may need to negotiate with smaller parties to remain influential in some municipalities. Similarly, the DA could seek partnerships with parties that share its positions on accountability, fighting corruption and improving service delivery.
Johannesburg is one of the most important areas to watch. The DA's strong performance gives it an opportunity to lead the city, but it will need support from other parties to secure a working majority. Other municipalities, including Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and eThekwini, could also experience complicated negotiations.
Reuters reported on November 8 that political parties would have 14 days to negotiate before councils are formed. The negotiations could involve discussions about mayoral positions, council leadership and agreements on service delivery priorities. 
Regional and political implications
The election outcome is also important beyond South Africa. The country is one of Africa's largest economies and plays an influential role in regional trade, diplomacy and political cooperation. Changes in its local political leadership could affect public investment, municipal development and confidence in government institutions.
The results also demonstrate a wider political trend across Africa: voters are increasingly demanding accountability, better public services and leaders who can deliver on their promises. Political parties can no longer depend entirely on their historical popularity to win elections.
For the ANC, rebuilding public trust will require more than promises. The party will need to address corruption concerns, improve municipal administration, create opportunities for young people and ensure that communities receive reliable water, electricity and other essential services.
The final election results and coalition agreements will therefore be closely watched by political observers, businesses and neighbouring countries.
Conclusion
South Africa's 2026 local government elections represent a major turning point for the ANC. Its declining support shows that voters are demanding change and greater accountability from their political leaders. Although the ANC remains the largest party nationally, its reduced popularity means it can no longer take political control for granted.
The coming coalition negotiations will determine the leadership of several important municipalities and could reshape the country's political landscape. Ultimately, the ANC's ability to recover will depend on whether it listens to voters, addresses their concerns and delivers meaningful improvements in people's everyday lives.