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

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 scheduled for 4 November 2026.

The study, which interviewed 3,600 South Africans nationally between June and July 2026, indicates a shifting political landscape in the Eastern Cape. The rise of the EFF in this region suggests that the party is successfully challenging the traditional dominance of the African National Congress (ANC) in the metro.

The EFF is polling at 27% in Buffalo City, reflecting a growing appetite for the party’s radical economic policies and its focus on service delivery in urban centers.

Political analysts suggest that the EFF’s strategy of deploying high-profile leadership to key metros, combined with a clear manifesto, is resonating with voters who are disillusioned with the current state of municipal governance. The party has already announced Mkhululi Dlevu as its mayoral candidate for Buffalo City, signaling its intent to govern the municipality.

As the 4 November election date approaches, all eyes will be on whether the EFF can convert this polling momentum into actual votes, potentially forcing coalition governments in major metros across the country.