South Africans cast votes in municipal elections amid mounting frustration over services and ANC decline

South Africans began voting on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, in a municipal election that will determine leadership of the country’s eight major cities, 44 district municipalities and 205 local councils. Polling stations opened at 07:00 local time (0500 GMT) and remained open until 21:00 (1900 GMT). More than 29 million voters are registered, although turnout in the 2021 municipal election was only 46 percent. The election is being watched as a barometer of public sentiment ahead of the national election scheduled for 2029.

The African National Congress (ANC), the party that has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, is expected to remain the largest party nationally, but several sources indicate its support could fall below 40 percent and possibly under a third of the vote. In the 2021 municipal elections the ANC fell below 50 percent for the first time, and in the 2024 national election it secured just over 40 percent, prompting a government of national unity with nine other parties. Analysts attribute the erosion to persistent problems such as unreliable water and electricity supplies, high crime rates, unemployment above 30 percent, and inadequate housing.

Background

The municipal elections are the first major test of the ANC’s popularity since the 2024 national vote, which saw the party lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994. Historically, the ANC dominated elections, achieving 70 percent of the vote in the 2004 general election, but its share has steadily declined to around 40 percent in recent years. The Democratic Alliance (DA), the country’s second‑largest party, is targeting key metros such as Johannesburg, hoping to capitalize on service‑delivery failures attributed to the ANC.

Voter sentiment reflects deep‑seated frustration. Residents of Tembisa, a township in the Ekurhuleni municipality near Johannesburg, expressed anger over frequent power cuts, sewage in the streets and unreliable water supplies. One resident said she had decided not to vote at all, citing hunger and hopelessness, while another young voter indicated she would vote only if councilors promised concrete improvements. Analysts from the Institute for Global Dialogue described this as “embedded frustration” that drives people to the polls, even though they recognise that change will not be immediate.

More than 500 parties are contesting the elections, underscoring the fragmented political landscape. The electoral commission reported that of the 2.6 million people eligible for special votes over two days, only 1.4 million actually cast them.

Why it matters

Municipal governments in South Africa are responsible for essential services such as water provision, electricity distribution, waste collection and local infrastructure maintenance. The outcome of the elections will directly affect how these services are delivered to millions of residents. Persistent water shortages, power outages and deteriorating infrastructure have been linked to rising crime and unemployment, amplifying public discontent.

The ANC’s potential loss of support threatens its ability to shape policy at both local and national levels. A weaker municipal presence could limit the party’s leverage in the coalition government formed after the 2024 national election. Conversely, gains by opposition parties like the DA could shift control of major metros, influencing service‑delivery strategies and fiscal priorities.

Public statements from President Cyril Ramaphosa deny a downward spiral for the ANC, despite pollsters and pundits predicting further losses. The party’s performance will be closely examined by investors and international observers concerned about stability and governance in South Africa’s largest economy.

What happens next

Results are expected to be announced in the days following the vote, with the Electoral Commission set to certify outcomes for each municipality. The elected councils will assume office later in the year, taking responsibility for budgeting and service‑delivery plans ahead of the 2029 national election. Opposition parties have signalled intentions to form coalitions in municipalities where the ANC does not secure a majority, potentially reshaping local governance structures.

The election also serves as a reference point for civil society groups and policy analysts monitoring the trajectory of public service provision and political accountability in South Africa. Continued voter engagement and the performance of newly elected officials will be key indicators of whether the country can address the systemic challenges highlighted during the campaign.