ANC Vote Falls to 31% as South African Cities Face Coalition TalksANC Vote Falls to 31% asSouth African CitiesFace Coalition Talks

The result matters to businesses and residents because municipal governments control many of the services that keep cities working, including water, electricity distribution, roads, waste collection and local permits. The negotiations that follow will help determine how those services are managed.

The latest vote count

Reuters reported on 8 November that 99% of votes had been counted. The ANC had about 31%, compared with approximately 25% for the Democratic Alliance and 10% for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, associated with former president Jacob Zuma.

The figures were still subject to the formal declaration of final results. The Electoral Commission of South Africa's results portal is the primary place to check the official count and council outcomes.

The ANC's share is well below the 45.6% it received in the 2021 municipal elections, according to near-complete results trackers. The DA has strengthened its position, while the MK Party has emerged as a significant force in its first municipal election.

The national vote share does not automatically decide who governs each city. Municipal councils are formed according to the seats won in individual councils, and parties may need to negotiate agreements to secure a working majority.

The services businesses depend on

Municipal decisions shape the day-to-day operating environment for companies. Reliable water and electricity services affect factories, shops, hotels, restaurants and office buildings. Roads and waste collection influence deliveries, customer access and the cost of doing business.

Unstable coalitions can make it harder for councils to pass budgets, approve projects and maintain consistent policies. Where parties disagree over senior appointments or spending priorities, decisions on infrastructure and service delivery can be delayed.

The risk is not that every coalition will fail. Coalition governments can function when parties agree on clear programmes, budgets and accountability arrangements. The immediate challenge is whether they can negotiate agreements that last beyond the first political test.

Johannesburg is particularly important because it is South Africa's commercial centre. The DA led the count there, but no party secured an outright majority. That means the final governing arrangement will depend on negotiations with other parties.

Mwenendo's recent reporting on Kenya's delayed road project shows how infrastructure delivery commitments can affect businesses and commuters. South Africa's municipal challenge is different, but the underlying issue is similar: local government performance has a direct cost for people and companies.

The coalition test begins

Parties are expected to negotiate over control of councils and the programmes they will implement. The agreements will determine who leads municipal administrations, how budgets are approved and which infrastructure priorities receive attention.

Businesses will be watching for commitments on electricity, water, transport, billing, local procurement and the management of municipal debt. Investors will also want to see whether city governments can provide predictable services and avoid prolonged political disputes.

The election is a national political setback for the ANC, but the economic consequences will be decided locally. The most important measure will be whether the new councils can improve the basic services on which households and businesses depend.