Julius Malema’s EFF surges to 27% in unexpected municipality, claims latest poll

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, have seen a significant surge in support in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, according to the latest Ipsos poll ahead of the November 4, 2026, local government elections.

The poll indicates that the EFF has reached 27% support in the metro, a figure that places the party in a strong competitive position. This level of support is substantially higher than the party’s performance in other major metros across South Africa.

Ipsos noted that while 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 findings suggest that the upcoming local government elections in Buffalo City will be highly contested. While the ANC and DA remain leading parties in most metros, the concentration of EFF support in Buffalo City makes it a key battleground for the November polls.

Ipsos cautioned that results for Buffalo City should be interpreted with care due to relatively small sample sizes for the metro, but the data highlights the EFF’s growing influence in the region as the party ramps up its campaign efforts and deploys strategic leadership to key areas.