Elections
Update: ANC suffers major losses as DA takes control in five metros
Update: 9 November, 07:00
South Africa’s political landscape has shifted significantly following the completion of the 2026 Local Government Election count, with the African National Congress (ANC) suffering major losses and the Democratic Alliance (DA) strengthening its position across the country’s biggest metros.
The final national figures show the ANC’s support falling from 45.59% in 2021 to 30.76% in 2026. That represents a decline of 14.83 percentage points, leaving the party well below its previous election performance.
The DA, meanwhile, has increased its national share from 21.66% to 24.64%, gaining 2.98 percentage points. It now leads in five of the country’s eight metros, marking a significant change in the balance of power at local government level.
One of the biggest developments is the emergence of the MK Party, which secured 9.77% nationally despite not contesting the 2021 election. ActionSA also recorded growth, rising from 2.33% to 5.67%.
The EFF moved in the opposite direction, dropping from 10.31% in 2021 to 6.22% in the latest election.
The ANC still holds a clear lead in Buffalo City, while its position in Mangaung is much tighter, with only 0.5 percentage points separating it from the DA.
However, the results in Johannesburg and Cape Town offer a closer look at how support has changed in two of South Africa’s most prominent metros.
DA makes significant gains in Johannesburg
Johannesburg delivered one of the DA’s strongest performances, with the party increasing its support from 26.1% in 2021 to 34.79% in 2026.
The result gives the DA 91 of the city’s 270 council seats, making it the largest party in the council.
The ANC recorded a substantial decline, falling from 33.6% to 20.25%. It now holds 63 seats, down from its previous level of support.
ActionSA maintained a strong presence in the city, receiving 16.27% of the vote and securing 43 seats. Its support increased slightly from 16.1% in 2021.
The EFF’s share fell from 10.6% to 6.52%, giving it 17 seats, while the MK Party entered the Johannesburg council with 5.57% and 15 seats.
The figures point to a more fragmented council, with no single party holding an outright majority.
| Party | 2021 result | 2026 result | Council seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| DA | 26.1% | 34.79% | 91 |
| ANC | 33.6% | 20.25% | 63 |
| ActionSA | 16.1% | 16.27% | 43 |
| EFF | 10.6% | 6.52% | 17 |
| MK Party | – | 5.57% | 15 |
DA retains control in Cape Town despite a slight decline
Cape Town remains a stronghold for the DA, although the party’s share of the vote dipped slightly compared with the 2021 election.
The DA secured 56.42% in 2026, down from 58.3% five years earlier. Despite the decrease, it won 133 of the 235 council seats.
The ANC also lost ground in the Mother City, falling from 18.6% to 13.95%. The party secured 33 seats.
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) recorded an increase, moving from 1.5% to 3.77% and winning nine seats. The EFF received 3.73%, also securing nine seats, while the Freedom Front Plus (VF+) increased its share from 1.6% to 3.42%, giving it eight seats.
| Party | 2021 result | 2026 result | Council seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| DA | 58.3% | 56.42% | 133 |
| ANC | 18.6% | 13.95% | 33 |
| PA | 1.5% | 3.77% | 9 |
| EFF | 4.1% | 3.73% | 9 |
| VF+ | 1.6% | 3.42% | 8 |
The DA’s result leaves it with a clear majority in Cape Town, even as smaller parties record gains and the ANC’s support continues to decline.
MK Party makes its mark as ANC loses ground nationally
The national figures underline the scale of the changes across the political landscape.
The ANC’s 14.83-percentage-point decline is the most significant movement among the established parties in the supplied comparison. The DA has made gains, while ActionSA has also improved its national share.
The MK Party’s 9.77% represents a substantial new presence in the national results. Its performance in eThekwini was particularly significant, where it emerged as a major force in the contest.
The IEC has also confirmed that one voting centre will have to vote again after a party entered the venue and destroyed ballot papers. The repeat vote will take place at a later date.
With the counting process complete, the 2026 election results mark a major moment for local government politics, with the balance of support changing in several key municipalities and parties facing a new set of coalition and governing challenges.
South Africa’s local government election count is in the home stretch, with 97% of votes now tallied on the IEC Results Dashboard. The final stretch is delivering serious drama, from a ward that could be settled by a coin to a party redrawing Gauteng’s political map, JoburgEtc reports.
Where the numbers stand
On the national proportional representation ballot, the ANC sits on 31.2%, the DA on 24.5% and the MK Party on 9.7%. The IEC expects to release the final outcome and council seat allocations this weekend.
Closer to home, EFF member Carl Niehaus, who was deployed to the party’s Zone 3 in the Cape Town Metro, thanked supporters on X, saying the party would ‘continue to fight for economic freedom in our lifetime.’
A Heartfelt Thank You from EFF Western Cape – Zone 3, Cape Town Metro
From all of us in Zone 3 of the Cape Town Metro where I have been deployed a sincere and heartfelt thank you to every single person who voted for the Economic Freedom Fighters.
Your support is not taken for granted. You have placed your trust in us, and we will continue to fight for economic freedom in our lifetime.
#VivaEFF! ✊🏾
A LUTA CONTINUA!
Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) November 7, 2026
Heads or tails in Buffalo City
In Buffalo City’s Ward 15, the DA and EFF each received exactly 1 714 votes. The IEC’s coin toss to break the tie was put on hold after the EFF objected and demanded a recount, SABC News reports.
‘Can you please stop this toss thing? And go and recount the ballots because this one is not going to help us,’ said the EFF’s Mziyanda Hlekiso. Formal objections closed at 17:00 on Friday, 6 November, the IEC confirmed.
ActionSA’s Gauteng surge, Robben Island win
ActionSA won no Gauteng wards in 2021, by Friday afternoon, it was leading in 51 wards across Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Its Hillbrow and Berea showing is now one of the most talked-about election stories on X.Party president Herman Mashaba said ActionSA had won 54 wards nationally, 24 of them taken directly from the ANC, Joburg Etc reports. The party also fielded candidates in all 526 Gauteng wards and says it is open to coalition talks with any party willing to commit to service delivery and fighting corruption.
eNCA’s Ayesha Ismail spoke to ActionSA’s Anslin Gysman and Cape Town mayoral candidate Dereleen James as the party celebrated winning Robben Island and surpassing the one-million-vote mark across the country. Tune in to #eNCA on #DStv403. https://t.co/r3oy0qa0vZ
eNCA (@eNCA) November 7, 2026
The ANC’s city problem
Urban voters sit at the centre of the ANC’s slide. ANC Western Cape convenor Jerimia Thuynsma admitted many Cape Town supporters skipped the polls. ‘In the metro, our people basically stayed at home,’ he told the Cape Argus.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
