Local Elections Ahead: Parties Compete for Control of South Africa's Big Cities
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South Africa's political parties are preparing for a important contest in the country's major cities. The African National Congress (ANC) lost its national majority in the 2024 general election, when it won about 40% of the vote. This result ended three decades of uninterrupted ANC majority rule and forced the party to form a coalition government.
A recent national opinion survey by the Social Research Foundation (SRF) suggests that the political landscape remains unsettled. Voters in large metropolitan areas such as Johannesburg, Tshwane, Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay are expected to play a key role in deciding which parties control local councils. Analysts say that municipal results often show local concerns, such as water supply, electricity, road repairs and waste collection, which may be more important to voters than national politics.
The battle for the cities also includes prominent political figures. Former leaders and party campaigners are working to attract voters who have changed their support in recent years. Some parties hope to win back residents who feel disappointed with service delivery, while others want to build on their gains from the last election. Because no single party has a clear lead in many urban areas, coalition agreements may again decide who runs the city councils.
The outcome of these elections will matter for millions of South Africans. Control of city governments affects budgets, public services and local development projects. Voters are encouraged to check the official registration details with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and to take part in the vote. The results will show how much the political balance has shifted since 2024 and what kind of government South Africans want at the local level.
Sources: The Africa Report
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