Midrand – The African National Congress (ANC) faces difficult coalition negotiations after suffering its worst performance in South Africa’s local government elections, securing just 30.76% of the national vote.
The ANC remained the largest party but fell sharply from the 45.59% it won in the 2021 local elections.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) finished second with 24.64%, while the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party received 9.76%, followed by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on 6.22% and ActionSA on 5.67%.
BREAKING: Final election results announced by the IEC.
These are the top five parties:
ANC: 30.76%
DA: 24:64
MKP: 9.76
EFF: 6.22%
ActionSA: 5.67% https://t.co/wuLRbtx9Hm
— Thembekile (@ThembiMrototo) November 8, 2026
The results mean several municipalities will require coalition agreements, including major metropolitan councils where no party secured an outright majority.
[WATCH] IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya reads out the top five parties and the number of council seats they acquired.#LGE2026 #Vote26
#Newzroom405 https://t.co/UFcln4X1vK
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 8, 2026
The number of municipalities requiring coalitions has more than doubled compared with 2021, increasing pressure on parties to negotiate agreements that can produce stable administrations.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged political parties to put residents ahead of political interests as coalition talks begin.
“Public office is a privilege that carries a responsibility of service,” Ramaphosa said.
“The election is now over, the work of serving the people of our country must now begin.”
Ramaphosa also warned parties against allowing coalition negotiations to become political power struggles.
“People did not cast their vote so that their representatives could spend the next five years fighting amongst themselves. They voted because they expect their lives to improve,” he said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says basic service delivery is a human right, and those who voted must hold their elected officials to account. He was speaking at the announcement of the local government election results. Tune in to #eNCA, on #DStv403. https://t.co/RjZ8qUE2Bi
— eNCA (@eNCA) November 8, 2026
Ramaphosa called on parties to negotiate in good faith and warned that political disputes should not delay the formation of municipal councils or undermine service delivery.
The ANC’s poor showing has also triggered calls for introspection within the governing party. Reuters quoted ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula describing the result as “catastrophic” and saying the party needed to “go home and put our house in order”.
The immediate challenge for political parties will be to reach coalition agreements over mayors, speakers and municipal executive structures.
The negotiations will determine how municipalities without outright majorities are governed.
The election marks a major shift in South African local politics, with the ANC retaining its position as the country’s largest party but losing much of the dominance it has enjoyed since the end of apartheid.
The success of the new coalition governments will ultimately depend on whether parties can overcome political differences and maintain stable administrations focused on service delivery.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
