Voting has begun in South Africa’s municipal elections, which could lead to further losses for the African National Congress (ANC), DW reports.
The popularity of Nelson Mandela’s party, which has governed the country since the end of apartheid, has gradually declined over the past decade.
At the previous local elections in 2021, the party received less than 50% of the vote for the first time, and polls suggest that this time the figure could fall below 40%.
The vote is taking place against a backdrop of growing dissatisfaction with the state of public services, including disruptions to water and electricity supplies, as well as high levels of crime, unemployment and a lack of affordable housing.
In some election campaigns, the issue of illegal migration has also featured prominently.
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The elections, seen as an indicator of public sentiment ahead of the nationwide elections in 2029, will determine who leads South Africa’s eight largest cities, as well as 44 district municipalities and 205 local councils.
A key battleground is Johannesburg. This economic hub is currently run by a fragile ANC-led coalition; however, according to polls, the liberal Democratic Alliance (DA) — South Africa’s second-largest political force — could win the most votes here.
The Democratic Alliance has nominated former party leader Helen Zille as its candidate for mayor of Johannesburg. The DA is also expected to retain control of Cape Town.
Other regions being closely watched include Tshwane (home to the administrative capital, Pretoria) and the port city of Durban, where the MK party, linked to former president Jacob Zuma, is mounting serious competition.