Poll: ANC support plummets as DA closes gap

Ipsos finds no political party commands majority support ahead of South Africa’s November 4 local government elections.

The latest Khayabus Pulse of the People survey indicates that the African National Congress (ANC) has seen its support plummet, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) has significantly closed the gap. According to the findings, the ANC garnered 30% support among registered voters, with the DA trailing closely at 28%. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party followed with 12%, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) garnered 10%.

ActionSA and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) each attracted 4%, while the Patriotic Alliance (PA) received 2%. The remaining parties collectively accounted for 7%.

The survey suggests that most metropolitan municipalities could require coalition arrangements after the elections, with numerous local and district councils also expected to be governed through coalition arrangements, Harris said.

The survey suggests that most metropolitan municipalities could require coalition arrangements. In Johannesburg, the DA recorded 30% support against the ANC’s 27%, while the MK Party received 12% and ActionSA 11%. In Tshwane, the DA was three percentage points ahead of the ANC. In Ekurhuleni, the ANC is ahead of the DA, although the gap between them is relatively narrow.

The DA continued to attract just over half of voter support in Cape Town (51%), followed by the ANC (24%) and EFF (10%).

The MK Party remains the largest party in eThekwini by a considerable margin (47%), despite an eight-percentage-point decline in its support. It is trailed by the DA (21%) and ANC (10%).

In Nelson Mandela Bay, the ANC and DA are also running very close, with Ipsos describing the contest as highly competitive. In Buffalo City, the ANC appears likely to remain the largest party, although its support may not be sufficient to secure an outright majority. The EFF has also registered a notable presence in the metro.

In Mangaung, the ANC remains ahead, followed relatively closely by the DA and then the EFF.

Ipsos cautioned that the findings should not be interpreted as predictions of the final outcome, noting that the political landscape remains fluid.