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 Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, with the party now polling at 27% ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

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 major metropolitan areas.

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.

The data indicates that while the ANC and DA remain the leading parties in most other metros, the EFF’s growth in Buffalo City makes it a critical battleground for the November 2026 elections.