Battle for the metros: ANC and DA fight as MK storms eThekwini | LGE 2026

With just over a month until South Africa’s November 4 Local Government Elections, the battle for the country’s major metros is intensifying. Ipsos polling shows closely contested races involving the ANC and DA in several cities, while MK has recorded 55% support among voters expressing a party preference in eThekwini.

The political picture is different in eThekwini, where Ipsos recorded 55% support for MK among voters who selected a party.

In the 2021 local government election in eThekwini, the ANC received 42.02% of the vote, followed by the DA on 26.62% and the EFF on 10.48%.

It is unclear between ANC and DA who will emerge victoriously. However, ActionSA is likely to bolster the DA votes with its double-digits support, Ntombela said.