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ANC drops to just over 30% in local elections

Published

Ongoing: Elections Hot

With almost all votes counted, the ANC's national share fell from 45.59% in the 2021 municipal elections. Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party was humbled and is open to talks on coalitions with any party.

Mbalula said ANC officials will finalise a detailed analysis of the election result on Monday. He said the party's National Executive Committee will then deliberate on strategies for hung councils.

Mbalula said the party has a mandate from now and will work harder. He said this work is not for the next election but for people who still wait for basic services such as water.

Key facts

Who
Fikile Mbalula (ANC Secretary-General); African National Congress (governing party contesting the 2026 local government elections); National Executive Committee (ANC decision-making body that will deliberate on hung councils)
What
With almost all votes counted, the ANC has secured just over 30% of the national vote, down from 45.59% in the 2021 municipal elections. Mbalula says the party has been humbled and that the ANC is open to engaging any political party on coalitions.
When
7 November 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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