ANC Faces Critical Test in Highly Contested South African Local Elections Amid Governance Crisis
South Africans are participating in highly contested local elections across nearly 300 municipalities, putting immense pressure on the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to reverse years of decline. Voter sentiment is heavily influenced by widespread failures in basic service delivery and municipal governance.
BBC World
South Africa is currently engaged in a highly contested local election cycle, where voters will decide the leadership of nearly 300 municipalities responsible for essential services such as water, electricity, and refuse collection. The elections represent a critical juncture for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which faces intense scrutiny following a disastrous showing in the last national election, resulting in the loss of its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994.
Support for the ANC has been declining significantly, dropping from 70% in the 2004 general election to 40% in the last national polls, driven by public anger over high levels of corruption, unemployment, and crime. While President Cyril Ramaphosa recently denied that the party is in a downward spiral, asserting that the ANC will perform strongly on November 4th, critics point to persistent issues on the ground.
In townships like Alexandra, the ANC's traditional strongholds, residents report severe challenges. Sanele Ntombela, an 18-year-old first-time voter, expressed hope for change despite witnessing deteriorating conditions, including pervasive rubbish and struggles with basic utilities. Conversely, Zandile Mncube, a 33-year-old resident, stated that she would not vote, arguing that the poor performance of local leaders makes no difference to the community's worsening situation.
These local struggles reflect a broader national governance crisis. Reports from the Auditor-General highlight the dire state of most of South Africa's 257 municipalities, with only 39 achieving the highest ranking between 2024 and 2025. Johannesburg, one of the country's largest metros, has been labeled 'effectively bankrupt' due to persistent issues with unstable electricity, water shortages, and poor infrastructure.
Political analysts predict a challenging electoral landscape. Ipsos polls indicate that ANC support has fallen to 30%, down from 46% in 2021, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) is projected to gain electoral traction, potentially securing 25% support. Melanie Verwoerd, a political analyst, suggests the elections will serve as a 'verdict' on the ANC, while Dr. Levy Ndou believes a coalition between the DA and ANC appears unavoidable in most metros.
The political dynamics across the major metros are complex. While Cape Town is widely regarded as the best-performing metro under DA governance, the situation in Ethekwini remains uncertain. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, founded by former President Jacob Zuma, is projected to perform well in the area but will likely require partners to form a governing structure.
Furthermore, voter turnout remains a concern, with a steady decline observed among young people. Dr. Ndou attributed this apathy to the perceived quality of candidates and the lack of visibility of local councillors in campaign efforts. The electoral commission has seven days to announce the results, giving parties 14 days to establish a governing structure.