South Africa's ANC suffers major election setback as Ramaphosa praises democracy
South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has suffered a major defeat in municipal elections, securing just 30.76% of the national vote and facing an uphill battle to retain control of key cities.
President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the official results announcement in Midrand, near Johannesburg, on Sunday, where he welcomed increased political competition as a sign of democratic progress.
“Greater choice and more competition are the signs of a healthy democracy,” Ramaphosa said, describing South Africa's democracy as strong and enduring.
The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) finished second with 24.64% of the vote, while former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party secured 9.76%.
The ANC won outright control of just 53 municipalities, down from 122 in 2021, marking another significant setback for the party that has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994.
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The results follow the ANC's historic loss of its parliamentary majority in the 2024 national elections, which forced it into a coalition government with the DA and other parties.
With several municipalities left without clear majorities, parties now face difficult coalition negotiations to determine control of major cities.
In Johannesburg, where the DA emerged as the largest party, the ANC faces a particularly tough challenge to retain power.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
