ANC support in major cities falls ahead of local elections

The African National Congress (ANC) is facing a significant decline in support across South Africa’s major metropolitan areas as the country approaches the local government elections scheduled for November 4, 2026. Recent polling data indicates a fierce, neck-and-neck battle between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA) in key metros, while the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, is poised for a dominant performance in eThekwini.

According to the latest Ipsos survey, the political capital of Tshwane is currently tilting toward the DA at 31%. In Johannesburg, the ANC maintains a narrow lead at 31% compared to the DA’s 27%. However, the situation in eThekwini is particularly stark for the ruling party, with the MK party projected to secure 55% of the vote, leaving the ANC trailing significantly behind.

The ANC’s urban decline has been well studied and is confirmed in the poll.

The national results from the 3,500-person in-home survey place the ANC at 31%, followed by the DA at 25%, the MK party at 14%, and the EFF at 11%. Smaller parties like ActionSA, the IFP, and the Patriotic Alliance also hold portions of the electorate, further complicating the landscape for potential coalition governments. This trend of declining support is consistent with broader observations of the ANC’s performance in recent by-elections and public opinion surveys, which suggest a steady erosion of the party’s traditional dominance in urban centers.