Overview
- The ANC's share of the vote fell to about 31 percent in last week's municipal elections, down sharply from 46 percent in 2021 and a new low for the party.
- ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu told reporters the president is "going nowhere" and denied that there is pressure on Cyril Ramaphosa to resign, calling reports he had considered stepping down a fabrication.
- No single party won majorities in key cities such as Johannesburg, so the ANC and other parties must now negotiate coalitions to form local governments and assign city leadership.
- Former president Thabo Mbeki publicly said senior ANC leaders should consider resigning after the result, while local outlet TimesLive reported Ramaphosa had weighed stepping down; those claims have been disputed by ANC officials and mainstream reports.
- The outcome could change how cities are run and how citizens receive services, and it increases focus on the ANC's December 2027 leadership election when Ramaphosa is due to step down after two terms.