The election outcome marked a complete shift in tone for many municipalities, with the ANC suffering significant losses across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, the party has fallen by almost 15 percentage points in the national count since 2021, losing majorities and its leading position in all but two metros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it maintains a firm lead in Buffalo City, its lead in Mangaung is fractional, with only 0.5 points separating it and the DA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DA, meanwhile, has seen growth. The party has gained just under 3 points on the national scale, and has taken the lead in five of the eight metros. The outlier is eThekwini, where the MK Party left the ANC dazed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The IEC said that one voting centre, where a party stormed in and destroyed ballots, would be subject to a revote at a future date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Responding to the election outcome, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party accepted the outcome with humility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The people of South Africa have spoken. As the ANC, we have heard [the] people. We recognise that many South Africans who once placed their confidence in the ANC have chosen to support other parties,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Others have withdrawn from electoral participation altogether. We recognise their concerns; we will not question their judgement or explain away their decisions.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mbalula said the ANC will approach the election’s outcome with introspection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We will confront the reasons why people who once regarded the ANC as their natural political home have become disillusioned with our movement,” he said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the party must accept that in too many communities local government has fallen short of expectations, and that service delivery failures have made people angry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the party has to re-earn the trust of the electorate, and it cannot just expect it based on its history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The ANC must earn the confidence of the people through what it does today and what it delivers tomorrow. That is the lesson of these elections. And it is a lesson we accept with humility,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DA has also taken a humble approach to its election gains, acknowledging its victories, and accepting that, without a clear majority in the metros, votes want coalitions to form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Our objective is to establish stable, effective governments that put residents first, restore accountability, and deliver the services communities deserve,” said DA Federal Council Chairperson, Ashor Sarupen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The DA approaches these discussions with humility, and we will respect the will of the voters,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Voters have given a clear mandate, and we are determined to ensure that the governments formed after this election reflect the need for stability and delivery.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sarupen said that coalition discussions will be coordinated nationally under the authority of the DA Federal Executive to ensure a consistent, principled approach across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The DA is ready to govern for all, and we are ready to work with others who share our commitment to building municipalities that work for all.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Click here to see the results from the Newsday Election Results Portal.<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSouth Africa 2026 election results <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/SA-100-1024x502.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/JHB-100-1024x506.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/TSH-100-1024x502.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/EKU-100-1024x501.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/CPT-100-1024x503.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/NMB-100-1024x504.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/BFO-100-1024x507.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/MAN-100-1024x502.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/ETH-100-1024x501.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n