On Thursday, 6 November 2026, South Africa’s Electoral Commission released provisional data from its municipal elections, revealing that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) remained ahead of its main rival, the Democratic Alliance (DA), with about 32 % of the vote counted compared with roughly 25 % for the DA.
The live tally, released after more than two‑thirds of valid ballots had been processed, showed the ANC holding advantage in six of the country’s nine provinces—North West, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Free State—while the DA led only in Gauteng and Western Cape. In the ninth province, KwaZulu‑Natal, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, headed by former president Jacob Zuma, was ahead.
Metropolitan Contest Highlights
In metropolitan council contests, the DA secured the lead in six of the eight major municipalities, including Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Nelson Mandela Bay and Mangaung. It was also on course to retain control of Cape Town, where it had secured roughly 62 % of the vote. The MK Party, meanwhile, was leading in eThekwini, the municipal unit that covers Durban.
These outcomes underline a tightening competition in urban areas, especially in Gauteng, which the ANC has traditionally seen as a stronghold. The DA’s success in several metros could strengthen its bargaining position in the coalition negotiations expected to determine the leadership of key cities.
The IEC cautioned that the results were provisional, as counting, verification and auditing continued. The final collation process was expected to conclude over the weekend, after which the full national vote share and the outcomes in all local councils would be confirmed.
Because mayors are elected by municipal councils rather than directly by voters, parties that fail to secure an outright majority must negotiate with potential partners to form governing coalitions. The DA’s strong metropolitan showing could give it a negotiative edge, while the ANC may seek allies among smaller parties to maintain influence. The MK Party’s gains in KwaZulu‑Natal may also give it leverage in local coalition discussions.
Though the ANC and DA share a partnership in the national Government of National Unity, the local elections might shift the balance of power at the municipal level. Coalition agreements will therefore be crucial in determining the leadership of Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Nelson Mandela Bay.
The provisional data also hint at shifting political dynamics that could affect the 2029 national election, but in the current moment the final nationwide vote tallies, the precise composition of municipal councils, and the outcomes of coalition negotiations remain uncertain.
