ANC Leads Early Vote in South Africa Municipal Elections

The African National Congress (ANC) holds an early lead in South Africa's 2026 municipal elections, securing control of three councils and leading in eight to ten others. With between 15% and 18% of votes counted as of November 5, the ANC maintains a narrow national lead with a vote share between 31.36% and 31.76%, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) trails slightly at 30.41% to 31.23%.

Despite the national gap, the DA claims a historic breakthrough among black voters. Internal party projections suggest more than one million black South Africans supported the party for the first time, potentially surpassing the support received by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The DA attributes this growth to its governing track record and voter frustration with ANC infrastructure and service delivery.

Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille emphasized the importance of the Gauteng metros, stating that the party must secure government in Johannesburg for the country to succeed. Meanwhile, the Patriotic Alliance has emerged as a notable performer, securing a high number of council seats relative to its national vote share of approximately 4.4%.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa continues to verify results, with over 80% of the national vote still outstanding. Early counts already include results from rural areas in the Free State, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape.