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

A recent Ipsos poll has revealed that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, have seen a significant surge in support within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, reaching 27% ahead of the upcoming local government elections on 4 November 2026.

The findings highlight that while the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) remain the leading parties in most major metros, the EFF’s concentrated support in Buffalo City places the party in a strong competitive position.

EFF support is concentrated in Buffalo City. Although support for the EFF varies across metros, it reaches 27% in Buffalo City, substantially higher than elsewhere. This places the party in a strong competitive position in the metro.

The report notes that results for Buffalo City should be interpreted with caution due to relatively small sample sizes, but the data underscores the metro as a key battleground for the 2026 elections.