A historic shift in Mpumalanga politics has ended decades of one-party dominance after the declaration of the 2026 local government elections results.

The ANC remains the largest party in the province, but it no longer dominates. It secured 43.7% of the vote – 480 851 votes – down from 58% in 2021, its lowest result in history.

Nationally, the IEC confirmed the ANC received 30.76% of the vote and 3 246 council seats, while the DA received 24.64% and 1 695 seats. According to the IEC, only 74 of the country’s 213 municipalities have an outright winner. The other 139 will need coalitions.

ANC leads Mpumalanga provincial results

The final provincial results are:

• ANC: 43.7% – 480 851 votes
• DA: 14.6% – 160 738 votes
• EFF: 10.3% – 113 520 votes
• MK Party: 9.5% – 104 229 votes
• Service Delivery Party (SDP): 5.3% – 58 526 votes
• South African Communist Party (SACP): 3.8% – 41 739 votes.

ANC wins only three outright

Of Mpumalanga’s 17 local municipalities, the ANC won an outright majority (50% plus one) in only three:

• Bushbuckridge
• Chief Albert Luthuli
• Nkomazi.

In 2021, the ANC needed coalition agreements only in Steve Tshwete, Govan Mbeki and Lekwa. In 2026, for the first time since 1994, the party will need coalition agreements to govern in 12 municipalities, having secured an outright majority in only three.

The ANC has also lost outright control of the provincial capital, the City of Mbombela, where it is leading with 48.91% of the vote, followed by the DA with 14.02% and the EFF with 12.1%.

In Thaba Chweu, the ANC fell short of the 50% mark for the first time, ending 31 years of one-party dominance since 1995. The party secured 41.05% of the vote, down from 58.33% in 2021, while the DA recorded 19.51% and the EFF improved its share to 14.78%.

The SDP took the lead in Victor Khanye Local Municipality, while the MK Party led in Mkhondo Local Municipality in its first local government election. Both municipalities will also require coalition arrangements if no party has secured an outright majority.

Mbombela hung, Thaba Chweu falls

The ANC has also lost outright control of the provincial capital, the City of Mbombela, where it is leading with 48.91% of the vote, followed by the DA with 14.02% and the EFF with 12.1%.

In Thaba Chweu, the ANC fell short of the 50% mark for the first time, ending 31 years of one-party dominance since 1995. The party secured only 41.05% of the vote, down from 58.33% in 2021, while the DA recorded 19.51% and the EFF improved its share to 14.78%.

IEC and premier reflect on polls

The IEC declared the Mpumalanga elections largely successful despite scattered administrative glitches and isolated ballot irregularities, including an official sustaining minor injuries in a vehicle accident and recounts in Thaba Chweu and City of Mbombela.

Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu, speaking at the decommissioning of the results centre on Friday, said the elections were free, fair and credible, and urged parties to form stable coalitions.

“We trust that they will engage one another constructively and find common ground in constituting stable and functional municipal councils in the interests of our people,” said Ndlovu.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula described the national outcome as ‘a very catastrophic outcome for the ANC’ and said if the party has not heard what voters are saying, ‘then we are lost’.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula described the national outcome as ‘a very catastrophic outcome for the ANC’ and said if the party has not heard what voters are saying that they are lost.

What happens next?

Parties now have 14 days to constitute councils and elect mayors, speakers and chief whips.

Coalition talks are expected to be most intense in Mbombela, Emalahleni, Govan Mbeki, Steve Tshwete, Lekwa, Thaba Chweu, Victor Khanye and Mkhondo.

This story will be updated with the full municipal breakdown, seat numbers and turnout as the IEC publishes the final gazette.