The ANC retained Ward 14 in the Govan Mbeki Municipality in the latest round of by-elections held on Wednesday, November 5. The Independent Electoral Commission confirmed that Fana Jeremia Nzimande is the new ANC councillor for the ward.

The party held the seat it won in the 2021 municipal elections, securing 43.78% (44%) of the total votes cast, compared with a 47.91% in 2021. The DA followed with 27%, up from 19% in 2021, while the EFF received 17% and the MKP 10%. Voter turnout was 41.82%.

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In a statement, the Mpumalanga ANC welcomed the outcomes of the by-elections. ANC provincial secretary Muzi Chirwa thanked the voters in Ward 14 for the mandate given to the party. “We assure the ratepayers of Govan Mbeki that we do not take their mandate for granted and will do all in our power to deliver services at a faster rate.”

He said the outcomes affirmed that the people of Govan Mbeki still trust the ANC to govern and bring a better life for all. “This victory is extremely important to the ANC in the province because it comes exactly a year before the 2026 local government elections and can serve as a baseline.”

He added that the victory is a message that people trust the ANC in the fight against poverty, unemployment, inequality and corruption. “We have no words to express our gratitude to the religious community and traditional leaders who worked with us during our campaign,” he said.

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Chirwa urged structures to not stop engaging with the electorate now that the election has passed, but to continue working with communities to address pressing service delivery challenges.

“The structures should root themselves among the people, live their experiences, share their trials and tribulations, and, jointly with them, find ways to advance our cause of better service delivery and a better life for all,” said Chirwa.