As South Africans prepare to head to the polls tomorrow, 4 November, a look back at the previous municipal elections highlights a historic shift nationally, while the African National Congress (ANC) retained its majority in Msukaligwa.
The ANC secured more than half of the nationwide municipal vote in every election from 2000 to 2016. In 2021, its support fell below 50% for the first time in a democratic election, although it remained the largest party.
The IEC dashboard records its nationwide support at 45.59%, ahead of the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 21.66% and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at 10.31%.
National leading-party results from the IEC's 2021 municipal election dashboard. Screenshot: Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
Across Mpumalanga, the ANC received 59.30% of the municipal vote, followed by the EFF at 15.21% and the DA at 11.69%.
Mpumalanga leading-party results from the IEC's 2021 municipal election dashboard. Screenshot: Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
The picture in Msukaligwa
The ANC has governed Msukaligwa since the municipality’s establishment in December 2000—nearly 26 years ago.
Msukaligwa leading-party results from the IEC's 2021 municipal election dashboard. Screenshot: Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
In 2021, it received 61% of the vote, securing 24 of the council’s 38 seats. The remaining seats were allocated as follows:
- EFF: Seven seats, with 17.12% of the vote.
- DA: Four seats, with 9.95%.
- Freedom Front Plus: Two seats.
- ACDP: One seat.
The ANC remains the governing party under Executive Mayor Mapulane Precious Nkosi.
Although the party has retained an outright majority in Msukaligwa, its share of the vote has declined over successive elections. The coming election will show whether it maintains support above 50% locally or falls below that threshold, as it did nationwide in 2021.