ANC support erodes ahead of Nov. 4 municipal elections amid service failures
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The African National Congress is losing support ahead of South Africa's Nov. 4 municipal elections, having won only 40.2% of the vote in 2024. Voter frustration over unemployment, crime, crumbling infrastructure and anti-foreigner violence is driving a shift toward opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance.
Key Facts
- The ANC won 40.2% of the vote in the 2024 general election.
- South Africa's municipal elections are scheduled for Nov. 4.
- More than 176,000 people have fled South Africa amid anti-foreigner violence since April.
- Former Cape Town mayor Helen Zille is running as the Democratic Alliance's mayoral candidate in Johannesburg.
- Fredson Guilengue of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation said the ANC has failed to create jobs, tackle inequality, reduce crime and improve living conditions.
ANC Support Erosion
The African National Congress won 40.2% of the vote in the 2024 general election, a historic setback for Nelson Mandela's former liberation party. Fredson Guilengue of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation said the party is on course to perform even worse in the Nov. 4 municipal elections. Guilengue attributed voter frustration to the ANC's failure at national and local levels to create jobs, tackle inequality, reduce crime, and improve living conditions. Unemployment, crime rates, and corruption have remained high and become entrenched, with municipalities governed by the ANC facing widespread mismanagement and infrastructure deterioration. Voters are expected to turn to opposition parties including the Democratic Alliance, which has been part of the government of national unity with the ANC since 2024.
Anti-Foreigner Violence
Anti-foreigner violence has claimed several lives since April and forced more than 176,000 people to flee South Africa, mostly to Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. At the SADC summit in Durban, the vigilante group March and March Again called for migrants to leave South Africa. Members urged neighboring governments to take back their citizens while police moved to contain protests. President Cyril Ramaphosa said he was concerned and ashamed that foreign nationals had been abused and forced to flee. Guilengue said growing anti-migrant sentiment is a symptom of deeper public discontent over service delivery and poverty.
Opposition Contest
Former Cape Town mayor Helen Zille is running as the Democratic Alliance's mayoral candidate in Johannesburg. Zille, known as the 'Iron Lady,' seeks to rescue Johannesburg, South Africa's economic hub, from its deep crisis. The Democratic Alliance is supported primarily by white voters and has been part of the government of national unity since 2024. The Nov. 4 municipal elections will gauge public sentiment on the government of national unity under Ramaphosa.
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ANC support erodes ahead of Nov. 4 municipal elections amid service failures
