South Africa’s local elections: ANC support drops as voters head to the polls

South Africans are heading to the polls for local government elections that are being seen as a crucial test for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party.

The party of Nelson Mandela has dominated South African politics since the end of apartheid in 1994, but it is facing growing discontent over service delivery, corruption, and high unemployment rates.

The ANC is facing its toughest electoral challenge yet, with voters expressing frustration over the lack of basic services like water, electricity, and sanitation in many municipalities.

Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), are hoping to capitalize on this dissatisfaction to make significant gains in key urban centers.

Analysts suggest that a poor performance by the ANC could signal a shift in the country’s political landscape, potentially leading to more coalition governments at the local level.