South Africa’s ANC suffers worst election result since end of apartheid

South Africa’s governing African National Congress (ANC) has suffered its worst election showing since coming to power in 1994, as the country’s 2021 local government elections signal a potential watershed moment in its political landscape.

According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, the ANC secured approximately 46% of the vote, a significant decline from the 54% it achieved in 2016 and well below its peak of nearly 65% in 2006.

The results, announced on Thursday, highlight growing public discontent with the ruling party, which has faced criticism over poor governance, crippling power blackouts, and economic instability.

The African National Congress, South Africa’s once-vaunted liberation movement, suffered its worst election showing since coming to power in 1994.

These municipal elections, held every five years, saw over 23,000 polling stations operate across the country. While the Electoral Commission declared the process free and fair, the outcome marks the first time in democratic South Africa that the ANC has received less than 50 percent of the total votes cast.