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ANC loses majority in Buffalo City as UDM surges

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

With 100% of votes counted, the ANC stood at 41% in the Eastern Cape metro, down from 59% in 2021, leaving the council hung. The UDM rose from 3,466 votes in 2021 to 90,121 votes in 2026.

The UDM placed second behind the ANC in the metro. Its mayoral candidate, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, won 18% of the votes for mayor. In Scenery Park ward 5, UDM candidate Mbeko Nobatyi won with 49.17%, or 4,794 votes, against 32.56%, or 3,174 votes, for the ANC's Monica Goci.

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said the party gained from a protest vote by ANC supporters. He said this would make the UDM careful in any coalition talks. He also said voters were fed up with the ANC and that Kwankwa would lead any talks. Holomisa said ward candidates endorsed by communities helped the UDM win former ANC wards.

Political commentator Dumisani Mthethwa of Walter Sisulu University said poor service delivery was the main reason for the ANC's fall. He said immigration protests and the ANC's silence on the debate could also have played a part. He said the result threatens the ANC's dominance in the province ahead of the 2029 elections.

Key facts

Who
Bantu Holomisa (UDM leader); Nqabayomzi Kwankwa (UDM mayoral candidate and MP); Dumisani Mthethwa (political commentator from Walter Sisulu University); Cyril Ramaphosa (ANC president)
What
With 100% of votes counted by Friday midday, the ANC stood at 41% in Buffalo City metro, down from 59% in 2021, and the metro became a hung municipality; the UDM rose from 3,466 votes in 2021 to 90,121 votes in 2026 and placed second behind the ANC.
When
6 November 2026
Where
Buffalo City, KuGompo City, East London
Status
Reported

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