ANC scores historic low in local elections
The governing party remains the largest, but voters punish failing public services.
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South Africa’s ANC has recorded its lowest-ever election score in local elections. According to the official result, the party received 31 per cent of the vote, while the Democratic Alliance came in at 25 per cent.
The result confirms the long-term decline of the African National Congress, the party that has politically dominated South Africa since the end of apartheid. In the previous local elections in 2021, the ANC still received 45 per cent of the vote. In the 2024 national elections, the party had already lost its parliamentary majority.
Wednesday’s elections concerned municipalities and cities, including major urban areas. The ANC remained the largest party nationwide, but the result is fragmented. More than 500 parties took part; around 30 per cent of the vote went to seven other major parties. The party of former president Jacob Zuma came third with about 10 per cent.
According to AP, voters mainly cite problems with basic services. In several municipalities, there have been prolonged interruptions to water and electricity supplies, poor roads and street lighting, and rubbish not being collected regularly. These complaints suggest that the day-to-day functioning of local authorities was an important issue for voters.
According to AP, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula called the result catastrophic and said the party must regain trust through service delivery. According to AP, DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said his party had taken an important step towards becoming South Africa’s largest party.
The result could make coalition negotiations in municipalities more complicated. No single party has a majority everywhere, meaning cooperation will remain necessary. The ANC and the DA already work together in the national government formed after the 2024 elections, but local coalitions may have different power balances and become unstable.
For the Netherlands and Europe, any consequences for trade with South Africa could be relevant. The elections will not automatically change national policy, but they could increase pressure on the government to improve infrastructure, energy supply and municipal services. It remains uncertain which local coalitions will emerge.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The ANC remained the largest party with 31 per cent of the vote.
- The DA received 25 per cent.
- The result is fragmented among many parties.
- Local coalitions still have to be formed.
Left
Arguments Sees the result as evidence that public services and social inequality should carry more weight than party tradition or market policy.
Values Equality, public services and restoring state capacity.
Consequences Wants greater public investment and stricter accountability for municipalities.
Centre
Arguments Emphasises that voters can hold both the ANC and the opposition responsible, and that workable coalitions matter more than symbolic victory.
Values Administrative continuity, service delivery and compromise.
Consequences Warns of unstable local governments if parties fail to reach agreements.
Right
Arguments Focuses on combating corruption, efficient government and cooperation with private parties to restore infrastructure and utilities.
Values Responsibility, order and economic efficiency.
Consequences Fears that increased government spending without reforms will not sustainably improve service delivery.
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 percentages, previous election results and public problems mentioned can be found in AP and Reuters. The possible coalition consequences are presented as an outlook.
- confirmed The ANC received 31 per cent and the DA 25 per cent in the local elections. — AP, based on official results. source
- confirmed The ANC received 45 per cent in the 2021 local elections. — AP mentions this as a comparison. source
- confirmed The result is linked to frustration over water, electricity, roads and rubbish collection. — AP identifies these services as important election issues. source
Editor's note
The national vote shares are based on official results as reported by AP. Local coalitions and the final distribution of power have not yet been established.Sources
- South Africa's ANC faces worst election results as voters react to service failures — Associated Press
- South Africa's ANC battered by local election losses ahead of coalition talks — Reuters via MarketScreener
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „zuid-afrika anc”
- NOS — „zuid-afrika anc”
- Het Parool — „zuid-afrika anc”