South Africa votes in local elections as ANC support hits historic lows
Polls suggest the ruling party's approval has fallen to 30%, down from 46% in 2021, while critics point to poor service delivery in major cities.
By Sofia Ramirez ·
An Ipsos poll conducted this week places the African National Congress at 30 percent support for the local elections being held Wednesday. This figure represents a sharp drop from the 46 percent share the party secured in the previous local vote in 2021. The election will determine leadership for nearly 300 municipalities responsible for essential services like water, electricity, and waste collection. More than 500 political parties are competing for these roles.
President Cyril Ramaphosa told supporters at a rally on Sunday that the party is moving in the right direction. He stated that the upcoming vote would prove the ANC is not in a downward spiral. However, independent analysts suggest the opposite. Melanie Verwoerd, a former ANC member of parliament, predicted the party would perform at its historical low in these local contests.
In the township of Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, residents expressed frustration with local governance. Sanele Ntombela, an 18-year-old first-time voter, cited issues with garbage and power outages as reasons to participate. He noted that rubbish piles often sit beneath streetlights covered in campaign posters. Zandile Mncube, 33, said she would skip the vote because service delivery has worsened over the years. She argued that voting makes no difference to the daily conditions in her neighborhood.
The contrast between Alexandra and the nearby financial district of Sandton is stark. Sandton features skyscrapers and well-maintained roads, while Alexandra suffers from raw sewage odors and potholed streets. Similar problems exist in Soweto, south of Johannesburg. Mduduzi Makhubo, 45, said his community lacks water after 2 p.m. every Monday. He plans to vote to address what he describes as the arrogance of local leaders.
Auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke reported that only 39 of South Africa's 257 municipalities received clean audits between 2024 and 2025. None of the three metro cities in Gauteng province, including Johannesburg, achieved this ranking. Maluleke warned that without attention, the financial health of these cities will continue to deteriorate. Johannesburg has been described as effectively bankrupt due to its fiscal state.
The Democratic Alliance is expected to gain support, particularly in Johannesburg. An Ipsos poll predicts the DA will capture 25 percent of the vote, up from 22 percent in 2021. DA leader Helen Zille has campaigned by swimming in large potholes and riding in a classic BMW 325i. She told radio broadcaster 702 last week that cities under DA governance function best. The party has ruled Cape Town since the late 2000s.
Coalitions are expected to remain common in Gauteng. Verwoerd said that stable coalitions often mimic the national power-sharing arrangement between the ANC and DA. In KwaZulu-Natal, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, founded by former President Jacob Zuma, is projected to perform well. Zuma vowed on Sunday to take control of several municipalities. However, polls suggest his party will need partners to form a government in the Ethekwini metro area.
Over 29 million citizens are registered to vote, but turnout has been declining among younger demographics. Dr. Levy Ndou, a political analyst, attributed this trend to the low visibility of local councillors. The electoral commission has seven days to announce results, and parties have 14 days to form governing structures.
