ANC Faces Voter Exodus as South Africa’s Local Elections Heat Up

Over 500 parties vie for municipal power

South Africans are casting ballots in a highly contested local election that could accelerate the African National Congress’s (ANC) loss of votes.

Election officials report that voting is proceeding smoothly, although some polling stations experience long queues.

More than 500 parties are on the ballot, each aiming to win control of one of the nation’s nearly 300 municipalities, which manage water, electricity and waste services.

The ANC sees this as a test of its governing credibility. The party suffered a historic defeat in the last national election, losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994.

Support for the ANC has been eroding amid public anger over corruption, unemployment and crime. The party’s vote share dropped from a 70% high in the 2004 general election to roughly 40% two decades later.

Polls and pundits anticipate a further decline in this round, but President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected the notion of a downward spiral.

“What I’m seeing here is that the ANC is going higher and higher and on the 4th [of November] we will show those naysayers,” he told supporters at the party’s final rally on Sunday.

In townships such as Alexandra, north‑east of Johannesburg, the ANC has traditionally enjoyed strong backing, yet poor governance and voter apathy are chipping away at that base.

The BBC visited Alexandra a week before the vote and spoke with residents, including 18‑year‑old first‑time voter Sanele Ntombela, who expressed excitement about finally having a voice.

Ntombela was spotted with friends Tshiamo Mbange and Lwandle Dladla on a street corner. Most of his peers said they would not vote, citing a lack of change and deteriorating basic services.

As the nation watches the outcome, the election will determine who governs the municipalities that deliver essential services to millions of South Africans.