The African National Congress (ANC) secured a strong showing in Wednesday’s by-elections, winning three of four contested wards, while the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party failed to secure any victories.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) conducted by-elections in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Northern Cape. The ANC retained two wards in Johannesburg—Freedom Park and Motsoaledi—with 2,630 votes against the MK party’s 1,100. In Mpofana, KwaZulu-Natal, the ANC held onto its seat with 1,436 votes, while the MK party garnered 634. The ward had been contested following the death of ANC councillor France Malevu in February.
In the Northern Cape, the ANC took a ward from the Namakwa Civic Movement, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) retained its seat in Ward 9, Stellenbosch.
ANC Hails Results as Sign of Resurgence
The ruling party celebrated the wins, interpreting them as a positive indicator ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
“The ANC lives, the ANC leads,” the party declared, thanking voters for their continued support. Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul hailed the victory in Namakhoi Municipality, calling it evidence of the ANC’s resurgence.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula also praised Gauteng’s leadership for revitalizing the party’s structures, saying, “We must exorcise the wrong out of the ANC. If it means losing friends to do the right thing, then let it be.”
MK Party Alleges Intimidation, Vows to Fight On
MK Party Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu acknowledged the losses but claimed the party faced unfair tactics, including alleged intimidation and abuse of state resources by “Government of National Unity (GNU) forces.”
“Our volunteers fought a good fight,” Shivambu said. “uMkhonto weSizwe remains a formidable force. We will correct these outcomes in 2026 and 2029.”
The MK party is now focusing on the upcoming by-election in Ngwathe, Free State, on 28 May, where it hopes to secure its first ward victory.
Analysis: What the Results Mean
The ANC’s strong performance suggests some recovery in voter confidence, particularly in traditional strongholds. However, political analysts caution that by-elections often have low turnout and may not fully reflect broader electoral trends.
Meanwhile, the MK party’s inability to win seats raises questions about its ability to convert its 2024 general election momentum into local governance influence. With the 2026 local elections approaching, both parties are gearing up for a more intense political battle.
Final Results Breakdown:
-
Gauteng (Ward 24, Johannesburg): ANC – 2,630 | MK – 1,100
-
KZN (Ward 4, Mpofana): ANC – 1,436 | MK – 634
-
Northern Cape (Ward 5, Namakhoi): ANC wins (previously Namakwa Civic Movement)
-
Western Cape (Ward 9, Stellenbosch): DA retains seat
As parties regroup, the political landscape remains volatile, with coalition dynamics and voter sentiment likely to shift ahead of 2026.