South Africa’s ruling ANC heads to all-time election low in local vote

South Africa's African National Congress is headed for its worst-ever election performance, with about 32% support after 80% of votes from local government polls have been counted. The Democratic Alliance is second with over 24%, and the uMkhonto weSizwe party is third with over 9%. Coalition negotiations are expected in several major cities.

South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) is headed for its worst-ever election performance, with about 32% support after 80% of votes from Wednesday's local government polls have been counted. The party, which took nearly 70% of the national vote in 2004, secured just over 40% in the 2024 national elections and 46% in the 2021 local elections. Political analyst Daniel Silke called it "the ANC's worst result in history," warning it will undermine the party's authority nationally. The pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA) is second with over 24%, up from nearly 22% in 2021, and is leading in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe party (MKP), contesting local elections for the first time, is third with over 9% and leading in Durban's eThekwini municipality. Turnout was 54.5%, up from 46% in 2021. With outright majorities unlikely in several cities, complex coalition negotiations are expected. The article notes that ANC losses stem from disillusionment over corruption and mismanagement, as well as competition from splinter parties like the MKP.