What ‘catastrophic’ South Africa local election results mean for ANC

The country is transitioning away from the era of ANC electoral dominance towards a more competitive and fragmented multiparty political system. South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) has recorded its worst-ever result in local elections , more than three decades after the party of Nelson Mandela led the country out of apartheid and into democratic rule.

While the ANC remains the country’s largest party, Wednesday’s vote appeared to confirm it is locked in a downward spiral amid long-held anger over corruption scandals and poor service delivery. The elections were held to choose local government councillors who run South Africa’s eight biggest cities as well as its 44 district and 205 local municipalities.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula described the results of the vote as “catastrophic”. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who also serves as the president of the ANC, said political parties should approach upcoming political negotiations to form coalitions for local rule with humility.