South Africa votes as ANC faces further losses and coalition rule looms

Johannesburg South Africans voted in municipal elections on Wednesday (November 4, 2026), with anger over corruption, crime and failing public services threatening to deal another blow to the African National Congress (ANC). The party of Nelson Mandela fell below 50% support for the first time in the 2021 municipal elections and could drop below 40% this time, according to polls. With no other party large enough to replace it, many cities are heading towards unstable coalition governments.

Such arrangements have been partly blamed for failures to deliver basic services, including water and electricity. The election outcome will set the stage for the next national election in 2029 and could influence the ANC’s succession race as President Cyril Ramaphosa approaches the end of his term as party leader in 2027. “Municipal failures have contributed to declining public trust and confidence in democratic governance,” Mr.

Ramaphosa said. He has acknowledged failures within his party but expressed optimism that it would regain support.