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).
Polling stations were open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (0500 to 1900 GMT), with results expected to be announced on Sunday (November 8, 2026).
He has acknowledged failures within his party but expressed optimism that it would regain support. Other metro areas to watch include Tshwane, home to the administrative capital Pretoria, and eThekwini, which includes the port city of Durban and where former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe party is strong. 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. 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.
