ANC and DA Could Together Govern Most of South Africa's Municipalities
Published
After the 2026 local government elections, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have enough seats to run 158 of South Africa's 213 municipalities. This means that the two parties together could control about three-quarters of the country's local councils. Local governments are responsible for everyday services such as water, electricity, waste collection, and roads, so these results directly affect people in towns and cities across the country.
The figures show how much voters' choices have shaped the local political map. Municipalities are governed by councils, and a party needs a majority of council seats, or support from other parties, to lead a municipality. In many areas, the ANC and DA may need to form coalitions with smaller parties or with each other to form stable governments. Coalition talks can take time, and their outcome will decide who becomes mayor and which policies are followed in each area.
The result also raises questions about how the two parties will work together, or compete, in the coming years. The ANC and DA have been political rivals at the national level for many years, so any cooperation in local government would be closely watched. Political analysts and residents will be paying attention to how new councils handle service delivery, budgets, and local development. Official results and final coalition agreements will confirm which party leads each municipality.
Sources: The Common Sense
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