Kathmandu [Nepal], November 7 – South Africa’s long-ruling African National Congress (ANC) is facing a significant decline in voter support and the possible loss of control over major cities following this week’s local government elections, preliminary results showed on Friday.
With 76 percent of votes counted nationally the ANC had secured nearly 31 percent trailing rival parties in key urban centres including Johannesburg, Tshwane and eThekwini.
The party’s support has fallen sharply from just over 45 percent in the 2021 local elections. Its electoral decline became more pronounced in the 2024 national elections when it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu acknowledged the setback saying the party would reflect on voters’ concerns and work to rebuild public confidence.
In Johannesburg, the Democratic Alliance (DA) was leading the ANC in early results. However, no party appeared likely to secure an outright majority making coalition negotiations necessary to form the city government.
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said potential coalition arrangements with other parties were under consideration, but no commitments had been made.
