WorldPolitics
ANC faces bruising defeat in South African local elections with 80% of ballots counted
Publication: World news | The Guardian
Author: Rachel Savage in Johannesburg
Source published: 06/11/2026, 12:48:37 UTC
Briefing created: 06/11/2026, 13:10:06 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 06/11/2026, 13:09:25 UTC.
Briefings
The African National Congress (ANC) faces a significant defeat in South Africa's local elections, with its vote share dropping nearly 14 percentage points compared to 2021. More than 80% of ballots were counted, marking the party's first time falling below a third of the national vote. This decline follows decades of leadership since the end of apartheid in 1994, driven by high unemployment, crime, and poor service delivery.
Key points
- The ANC's vote share in South Africa's local elections is projected to drop nearly 14 percentage points compared to the 2021 result.
- More than 80% of ballots were counted, indicating a fragmented vote that prevents the ANC from maintaining its national dominance.
Context
The African National Congress (ANC) has led national governments since the end of white minority apartheid rule in 1994. Its decline is attributed to high unemployment, crime, corruption, and poor local service delivery, causing voters to turn away from the party.
Limitations
Data is unverified and represents a snapshot from November 2026. The 14 percentage point drop is a projection based on recent trends, not confirmed final results. Specific voter demographics, turnout rates, and regional breakdowns are not provided in the source.
Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 06/11/2026, 13:10:06 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.
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