South Africans Vote in Local Elections Testing Declining Power of Ruling ANC

OPA WIRE, Nov 4 (OPA) — South Africans began voting Wednesday in local elections that serve as a crucial test for the African National Congress. The ballot decides leadership across eight main city municipalities, 44 district councils, and 205 local councils nationwide.

A primary battleground is Johannesburg, Africa's richest city, where persistent failures in water and electricity supplies have fueled widespread voter anger. Johannesburg has changed its mayor five times in four years and is currently governed by a fragile ANC-led coalition.

The Democratic Alliance is targeting the economic hub, putting forward 75-year-old former national leader Helen Zille for mayor. While the ANC and DA are partners in a national unity government, they remain fierce rivals in municipal contests.

These elections also mark the first local contest for the MK Party, led by former South African President Jacob Zuma. The party made a strong debut in the 2024 national elections, emerging as the third-largest force in Parliament amid widespread voter concerns over crime, unemployment, and public service delivery.