Julius Malema’s EFF surges to 27% in unexpected municipality, claims latest poll

A recent poll conducted by Ipsos has revealed a significant shift in the political landscape of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) surging to 27% support ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

The findings, which highlight the metro as a key battleground, suggest that the EFF has managed to consolidate a strong base of support in the region, placing them in a highly competitive position against the traditional political heavyweights.

According to the data, while the ANC and DA remain the leading parties in most major metros, the EFF’s performance in Buffalo City stands out as substantially higher than its support levels in other parts of the country.

The Ipsos study found that support for the EFF reaches 27% in Buffalo City, substantially higher than elsewhere. This places the party in a strong competitive position in the metro.

Political analysts note that these figures could signal a major upset in the November 2026 elections, as the party intensifies its campaign efforts and focuses on key service delivery issues within the municipality.

The poll results come as the EFF continues to ramp up its national campaign, with party leader Julius Malema recently unveiling mayoral candidates for several key cities, including Mkhululi Dlevu for Buffalo City.

However, researchers have advised that results for specific metros, including Buffalo City, should be interpreted with caution due to relatively small sample sizes in those areas.