Helen Zille, the Federal Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance (DA), has publicly criticized recent polls suggesting the ANC’s support has fallen below 30%. She labeled these polls “statistically unreliable” and a potential distraction from the real focus—the 2026 elections.
The criticism stems from a poll commissioned by the DA itself, which predicted the ruling party’s support could drop to 29%. Zille argued that the survey’s large margin of error makes it impossible to draw such strong conclusions. She stated that treating these numbers as absolute truth is careless, creates false expectations, and misleads voters.
This intervention highlights the high stakes and internal tensions within opposition strategy. While the DA has long argued that the ANC is declining and that a coalition government is possible, experts warn that overstating the case without solid data could damage the party’s credibility.
“The DA runs the risk of damaging its credibility by exaggerating the ANC’s decline if it doesn’t have strong proof,” said political analyst Ongama Mtimka.
The ANC dismissed the poll as political opportunism. Party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri stated the ruling party is focused on “renewal and rebuilding trust” rather than responding to opposition numbers.
As the 2026 elections approach, polling data will heavily influence public perception. The DA risks looking out of touch if it overstates the ANC’s weakness, while the ANC risks underestimating genuine voter dissatisfaction if it ignores the polls completely. The debate raises a central question: is the nation on the verge of an ANC collapse, or are opposition parties simply selling hope?