DA leads in Gauteng as ANC remains behind
The first results from South Africa's local elections point to a possible further weakening of the ANC.
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The Democratic Alliance is ahead in several metropolitan municipalities in Gauteng province, South Africa's economic heartland. The results are not yet final, but confirm that the ANC is struggling to retain its local power base.
In Johannesburg, the DA stood at 40 per cent of counted votes according to the provisional result, compared with 17 per cent for the African National Congress and 15 per cent for ActionSA. The DA was also ahead in Gauteng's other metropolitan municipalities, with the exception of Tshwane.
The elections on 4 November were local. South Africans elected municipal councils, thereby indirectly determining the political balance in cities responsible for, among other things, local services, infrastructure and waste management.
Show the figures
| Provisional figure | |
|---|---|
| DA | 40% |
| ANC | 17% |
| ActionSA | 15% |
The result is also nationally relevant. The ANC lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 national elections and has since governed together with the DA and smaller parties. A strong local result for the DA could further alter the balance of power within that cooperation.
The figures remain provisional. Votes are still being counted. Where no party wins a majority, coalition negotiations may be necessary. An initial lead therefore does not automatically mean that the DA will secure a mayor or a stable majority.
For the Netherlands and Europe, South Africa is particularly relevant as a regional economic and diplomatic partner. The elections could affect the stability of major cities, the delivery of public services and the direction of the coalition government.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The DA is provisionally leading in several metropolitan municipalities in Gauteng.
- The ANC lost its national majority in 2024.
- The elections are local and coalitions have not yet been formed.
Left
Arguments A strong opposition can force the ANC to perform better, but public services must not become dependent on market-oriented cuts or the exclusion of vulnerable groups.
Values Equality, public services and social protection.
Consequences Coalitions should be assessed above all on housing, employment, public amenities and the treatment of migrants.
Centre
Arguments The result shows voter preferences, but governing requires stable majorities and workable agreements between parties.
Values Institutional continuity, good governance and democratic legitimacy.
Consequences The key test will be whether parties can form workable coalitions after the count that improve local services.
Right
Arguments The DA's lead can be read as a rejection of prolonged ANC rule and as a demand for more efficient government, stricter financial discipline and better security.
Values Responsibility, order and administrative efficiency.
Consequences A shift in power could encourage municipalities to manage performance and budgets more rigorously, but coalition politics could also delay decision-making.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The provisional percentages and the political context are confirmed by SABC and AP. The text does not present the result as final.
- confirmed The DA led in Johannesburg with 40 per cent, ahead of the ANC on 17 per cent and ActionSA on 15 per cent. — Mentioned in SABC's provisional result. source
- confirmed The ANC lost its parliamentary majority in 2024. — Confirmed by AP. source
- confirmed The results are not yet final. — The sources consulted refer to provisional figures and ongoing counts. source
Editor's note
The percentages are provisional figures. The final distribution of seats and coalitions were not yet known.Sources
- DA leading in Gauteng metros except Tshwane — SABC News
- South Africa’s local elections could continue the decline of the once-mighty ANC — Associated Press
- DA takes early lead against ANC in Johannesburg — SABC News
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „zuid-afrika gauteng”
- RTL Nieuws — „zuid-afrika gauteng”
- NOS — „zuid-afrika gauteng”