South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) has experienced a notable decline in voter support during the 2026 Local Government Elections, shedding over 1.5 million votes compared to the 2021 elections. The party secured 9.16 million votes, a drop from the 10.69 million garnered previously, which resulted in its national vote share falling from 45.59% to 30.76%. Despite this decrease, the ANC remains the largest political party in the country.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) saw a significant rise in its voter base, obtaining 7.33 million votes, up from 5.07 million in the last election. This increase boosted its national vote share to 24.64%, narrowing the gap with the ANC. Meanwhile, the newly-introduced uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party made a strong debut, capturing 2.91 million votes and achieving 9.77% of the national vote, placing it third overall.
Other parties also saw shifts in support. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) experienced a loss of over 567,000 votes, settling with approximately 1.85 million votes. On the other hand, ActionSA showed growth, increasing its votes from about 548,000 in 2021 to 1.69 million in 2026. Additional gains were recorded by the Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, and Patriotic Alliance.
The election results have left 138 municipalities without a clear majority, necessitating coalition negotiations to form local governments. The ANC is anticipated to engage with other parties to maintain or establish control over several councils.
These outcomes underscore a shift in political support across South Africa and suggest that coalition governments will be pivotal in shaping municipal administration in the coming years.