The ANC Under Pressure: Why Its Support Has Shrunk

Published 2026-11-05

The African National Congress (ANC), the party that led South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, has seen its political power decline in recent years. The Financial Times has described this trend as the party's "incredible shrinking"影响 on the country's politics. The change has become clear in the way voters now choose their leaders.

The most important sign of this change came at the general election in May 2024. The ANC won about 40 percent of the vote, which was its lowest result since 1994. For the first time, it did not have a majority in the National Assembly. As a result, the party had to form a coalition government with several other parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), the country's main opposition party.

There are many reasons for the party's falling support. Many South Africans have been frustrated by high unemployment, which remains above 30 percent, and by problems such as rolling blackouts, poor public services, and corruption scandals. Some voters have also said that the ANC has not delivered enough economic change for the country's poorer communities. At the same time, new and smaller parties have gained more support, which has made the political landscape more divided.

The ANC's future is now uncertain. The party must work with its coalition partners to pass laws and manage the economy, while it also tries to win back voters who have left. For ordinary South Africans, the results of this political shift will matter in areas such as jobs, electricity supply, and public services. Observers will be watching closely to see whether the coalition can work effectively and whether the ANC can rebuild its public trust.

Sources: Financial Times

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