Who won South Africa’s cities in the 2026 local government elections, and who can actually govern them? The early results suggest a sharp fall in ANC support. But even if the DA finishes first in Johannesburg, Helen Zille still needs enough councillors to elect her mayor. Who could give her those votes, and what might they want in return?
On this episode of the Rational Standard Podcast, host Nicholas Woode-Smith is joined by Dr Martin van Staden and Ayanda Zulu to go through the municipal election results, revisit last week’s predictions and discuss the prospects for coalition government in Johannesburg, Tshwane and eThekwini.
We look at whether the ANC can lose votes and still hold power, what the results in Durban mean for Jacob Zuma’s MK Party, and where smaller parties could cast the deciding vote. For residents who want water in their taps and their roads repaired, getting a mayor elected is only the first test. Can the parties that put a mayor in office hold together long enough to govern?
Which result surprised you most, and which coalition would you trust to run your city? Tell us in the comments.
Who Won South Africa’s Cities?
On this episode of the Rational Standard Podcast, host Nicholas Woode-Smith is joined by Dr Martin van Staden and Ayanda Zulu to go through the municipal election results...
