Julius Malema, EFF Surges to 27% in Buffalo City: Ipsos Poll (Local Government Elections 4 November 2026)

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are experiencing a significant surge in support in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, according to the latest Ipsos poll. The party is currently polling at 27% ahead of South Africa’s upcoming local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.

This polling data suggests a tightening race in the Eastern Cape metro, where the African National Congress (ANC) has historically maintained a stronghold. The EFF’s growth comes as political parties intensify their campaigns across the country to secure control of key municipalities.

The EFF has officially named parliamentarian Mkhululi Dlevu as its mayoral candidate for Buffalo City, signaling the party’s intent to challenge the incumbent ANC leadership. The race in the metro is crowded, with twenty-nine parties competing for seats, including the MK Party, which has named Mzwandile Vaaibom as its candidate.

The Eastern Cape is our province and a very strategic province which the EFF must take over and lead because the ANC in the Eastern Cape is dead.

EFF leader Julius Malema has been vocal about the party’s ambitions in the region, recently stating that the EFF is poised to take over various municipalities in the Eastern Cape. As the 4 November election date approaches, the focus remains on whether the EFF can convert this polling momentum into actual electoral gains in the Buffalo City council.