South Africans are voting in local elections across nearly three hundred municipalities, with public frustration over crumbling infrastructure, failing services, and economic stagnation putting intense pressure on the ruling African National Congress.
Polling conducted by Ipsos put the ANC’s support at 30 percent. That figure is down from 46 percent in 2021 and from 70 percent in 2004.
Millions of eligible citizens head to the polls in municipal elections that test public confidence in the African National Congress. The former liberation movement fought to convince voters it can still deliver on basic services such as water, electricity, and refuse collection after more than three decades in power.
Campaigning ahead of the vote featured unusual methods as politicians spun cars, watched grandmothers knit, and waded through oversized potholes.
Auditor-General Exposes Failing City Services
Years of reports issued by auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke detailed the dire financial and administrative state of South Africa’s municipalities.
Between 2024 and 2025, only 39 public entities achieved clean audits. None of Gauteng province’s three metro cities—Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni—made the list.
Addressing lawmakers earlier in the year, Maluleke warned that Johannesburg needs ongoing attention
to prevent further financial deterioration and compromised service delivery.
If we don’t that, we are going to continue on this slide where financial health deteriorates [and] where service delivery continues to be compromised, which is what we are living
Coalition Battles Shape Metro Politics
Political analysts predict that coalition arrangements will dictate how councils are run following the election.
Melanie Verwoerd, a former ANC MP and South African ambassador to Ireland, noted that coalitions would remain the order of the day across Gauteng.
Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille campaigned vigorously in Johannesburg. She arrived at a rally in a classic BMW 325i.
Zille told local radio broadcaster 702 that towns and cities that work best are under DA governance
.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party founded by former President Jacob Zuma sought to expand its control over municipalities after performing strongly in the 2024 provincial election.
Verwoerd described government formation in eThekwini as a different story
given the party’s refusal to work with either the ANC or the DA.
Political analyst Levy Ndou addressed the national picture regarding municipal leadership.
We’re not sure whether the arrangement of the government of national unity could have the potential to influence how the metros are going to be run
The Electoral Commission of South Africa has seven days to announce the final results, while political parties have 14 days to establish governing structures across the country’s nearly 300 municipalities.
The former liberation movement secured 46 percent during the 2021 local elections.