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

A recent Ipsos poll has revealed a significant surge in support for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, with the party now polling at 27% ahead of the upcoming local government elections on 4 November 2026.

The findings, which highlight the shifting political landscape in South Africa’s key metros, suggest that the EFF has established a strong competitive position in the region, performing substantially higher there than in other parts of the country.

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.

While the data indicates a major boost for Julius Malema’s party, Ipsos has advised that results for Buffalo City, along with Nelson Mandela Bay and Mangaung, should be interpreted with caution due to relatively small sample sizes in those specific areas.

The upcoming elections are expected to be highly competitive, with the ANC and DA also vying for control in several major metros, including Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Nelson Mandela Bay.