ANC Suffers Worst-Ever Performance in Local Elections
The African National Congress has secured just over 30% of the vote in local elections, its worst performance ever, with the party losing control of six out of eight metropolitan regions.
South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) is facing its worst-ever performance in local elections, according to preliminary results from Wednesday's municipal polls.
The party has secured just over 30% of the vote, a historically poor showing that spells trouble for President Cyril Ramaphosa and his leadership. The ANC also lost control of six out of eight metropolitan regions, as announced by South Africa's Electoral Commission after counting nearly all votes.
Voters in South Africa are fed up with water and electricity shortages, which they blame squarely on the ANC's mismanagement of municipalities. Unemployment, crime, and widespread corruption are other pressing issues that have eroded public trust in the party.
ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa has yet to address the dismal performance, despite his admission earlier this week that municipal failures had contributed to declining confidence in democratic governance.
The African National Congress (ANC) has been dealt a severe blow in the recent local elections, marking its worst performance in history despite remaining the single largest party by overall vote percentage.
This outcome was predicted by political analyst Daniel Silke, who described it as "the most severe result that the ANC would have feared." He warned that this dismal showing will undermine the ANC's authority on both the local and national level, severely impacting its ability to govern effectively.
The ANC's decline in popularity has been a gradual process over the past decade, with each election seeing a steady decrease in support. In 2021, it secured 46% of the vote in municipal elections, while the 2024 general election saw it drop to just over 40%. This downward trend is particularly alarming given the ANC's instrumental role in ending apartheid and bringing democracy to South Africa.
The consequences of this electoral setback will likely be far-reaching, with the 2029 general elections on the horizon. As a bellwether for voter sentiment ahead of these national polls, the ANC's poor showing may signal a significant shift in the country's political landscape, potentially paving the way for new leadership and a changed government.
The ANC's poor performance in local elections has been attributed to voter disillusionment with corruption, mismanagement, and high unemployment. Smaller parties have gained traction across South Africa, siphoning off support from the ANC.
Coalition negotiations are now underway as voters choose municipal leaders. The Democratic Alliance (DA), a center-right party, appears poised to take control of several key cities, including Cape Town, Pretoria, and Johannesburg.
In these municipalities, the DA is expected to form coalitions that exclude the ANC, potentially paving the way for new leadership in the country's local governments.
Facts based on reporting originally published by DW English.
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