South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) has experienced a notable decline in voter support during the 2026 Local Government Elections, signaling shifting political dynamics in the country. The ANC secured 9.16 million votes, a decrease from 10.69 million in 2021, reducing its share of the national vote from 45.59% to 30.76%. Despite this drop, the ANC remains the largest political party in South Africa.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) capitalized on the ANC’s losses, significantly increasing its vote count from 5.07 million in the previous election to 7.33 million. The DA’s national vote share now stands at 24.64%, further narrowing the gap with the ANC. Meanwhile, the newly debuted uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party made a strong entrance, securing 2.91 million votes and capturing 9.77% of the national vote, placing third nationally.
Other parties also saw changes in their support. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) faced a decline, losing over 567,000 votes to end with approximately 1.85 million. In contrast, ActionSA saw substantial growth, increasing its votes from around 548,000 in 2021 to 1.69 million in 2026. The Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, and Patriotic Alliance also registered gains in this election.
The election results have left 138 municipalities without an outright majority, highlighting the necessity for coalition negotiations to form local governments. The ANC is expected to engage in discussions with other parties to retain or secure control over several councils. This development underscores the increasing importance of coalition governments in shaping South Africa’s municipal administration over the next five years.