ANC records worst result in its history as coalition talks begin in 120 councils

The African National Congress has recorded the worst electoral performance in its history, according to the final results of South Africa's local government elections published on Sunday by the Independent Electoral Commission.

The ANC remains the largest party with about 30.8 per cent of the vote, but failed to secure an outright majority in any of the eight metropolitan municipalities, including Johannesburg and Tshwane. The Democratic Alliance (DA) took approximately 24.6 per cent, up from about 22 per cent in 2021. Former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, contesting municipal elections for the first time, came third with about 9.8 per cent, overtaking the Economic Freedom Fighters, and led in eThekwini, which includes Durban.

Turnout was an estimated 54.5 per cent of 29.2 million registered voters, up from 46 per cent in 2021. The ANC took nearly 70 per cent of the national vote in 2004.

"This is the most severe result that the ANC would have feared," political analyst Daniel Silke said, warning that it would weaken the party's authority nationally ahead of the 2029 general election.

Coalition bargaining

Negotiations are under way in some 120 hung councils, where parties have 14 days by law to establish functioning administrations. Analyst Xolelwa Kashe-Katiya cautioned that rushed talks could produce fragile coalitions, with consequences for budgets, infrastructure and service delivery.

The DA is leading in Johannesburg, where its mayoral candidate is its former leader Helen Zille, 75. As talks began, Ms Zille rejected demands from potential partners that she abandon her bid, insisting that rival parties could not dictate who becomes mayor. DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said the party had already reached out to many others, adding that it was time "to put together governments that can actually fix these towns and cities".