African National Congress

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ANC admits service delivery failures hurt election campaign

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has admitted that voter frustration over poor service delivery, power cuts, water shortages, and internal divisions drove massive election…

MK Party leader Jacob Zuma. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

MK Party sets coalition rules as it prepares to negotiate after local elections

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has established a national negotiating team to guide post-election coalition talks, maintaining that it will not compromise its principles to enter…

Malema calls for progressive alliance as EFF confronts electoral losses

EFF leader Julius Malema has addressed the party's declining electoral support, urging progressive parties to unite while pledging to direct party resources towards delivering…

Why voters must put competence before race

South Africa's democracy can only deliver prosperity and better services when citizens move beyond racial and ethnic voting lines to demand accountability and competence.

Duty to voters: Geordin Hill-Lewis has defended his proposed changes to the party’s Government of National Unity deployment list. Photo: Supplied

DA keeps mayoral options open as coalition talks loom

The Democratic Alliance is keeping its options open regarding mayoral chains in key metros like Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni as political parties prepare for critical coalition…

In suspense: ANC deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane at the party booth at the IEC results centre. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

ANC may need a blue lifeline in Joburg

As election results point to a tight race in Johannesburg, the ANC may be pushed toward an uneasy coalition with the DA despite fierce resistance from local party leaders.

Elections: More than three decades into democracy, many voters approached polling stations with a simple question: who can fix the potholes, keep the taps running and keep the lights on. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

A historic election for South Africa

Fed up with widespread service delivery failures and unstable municipal coalitions, millions of South Africans took to the polls in a pivotal local government election defined by…

Voter turnout: The 2026 local government elections marked a recovery in voter turnout after the record low of 2021. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

15.9 million voters reshape local politics as coalitions loom

Voter turnout rebounded to 15.9 million in the 2026 local government elections, driven by middle-class frustration over service delivery failures as preliminary results point to…

Turnaround sought: An elderly Sophiatown resident says only “Gogo”, referring to DA leader Helen Zille, could return the crime-and-grimeridden neighbourhood to its former glory. Photo: DA

Sophiatown’s patience is wearing thin

Frustrated by mounting crime, dry taps, and uncollected rubbish, Sophiatown residents headed to the polls demanding urgent solutions and accountable leadership.

Mind the gap: Nelson Mandela Bay municipality demonstrates how repeated political changes become a problem. Photo: NMBM

Sharing power is easy; governing is hard

As South African municipalities grapple with water crises and unstable leadership, coalition governance faces a crucial test: moving beyond survival politics toward transparent,…

Infrastructure: Every rand must do its job and every post in the municipality must be occupied only by the correctly qualified person. Photo: Mkhondo Municipality

The culture of mediocrity ends

An analysis of widespread municipal underperformance in South Africa reveals deep systemic failures in capital budget spending, infrastructure maintenance, and governance,…

Filling the void: Although the absence of international election observers during the 4 November elections raises questions about oversight, it does not mean an election lacks credibility. Domestic observers, political party agents, civil society organisations and journalists can also play essential roles. Photo: IEC

The ballot box is only the beginning

South Africa’s local elections present a crucial test of electoral integrity and democratic resilience, demonstrating whether declining support for ruling parties can coexist…

In the Northern Cape, for the DA to bring the ANC below the 50% mark the governing party would need to lose more than 14% at the polls. (Skyler Reid/M&G)

DA wins back uMngeni by an increased majority, makes inroads in key KZN municipalities

The Democratic Alliance has secured a decisive victory in KwaZulu-Natal's uMngeni local municipality, retaining control with over 60% of the vote share.

Bakerton CPF member Sadah Pachigadas.

The Bakerton Ballot: Political paralysis meets community policing in Ekurhuleni’s Ward 72

As rival political parties trade blame over service delivery failures in Ekurhuleni's Ward 72, the Bakerton Community Police Forum is stepping up to hold whoever wins accountable.

Over the past four elections the smaller political parties have been losing votes hand over fist — except for the Freedom Front Plus (FF+). (David Harrison/M&G)

No water, no order: Sophiatown voter wants Freedom Front Plus to rescue SA

Frustrated by daily water cuts, uncollected rubbish, and urban decay, Sophiatown voter Joanna Moleko has cast her ballot for Pieter Groenewald and the Freedom Front Plus in…