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The African National Congress (ANC) convened on Thursday to address its worst electoral defeat in history, plotting a coalition strategy after voters stripped the historic liberation movement of its municipal dominance.
Garnering just 31 per cent of the vote in last week’s local government elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s party suffered sharp losses across major urban centres like Johannesburg and Pretoria amid widespread public anger over persistent corruption scandals and failing municipal services.
The National Executive Committee met to evaluate initial coalition talks and adopt a binding framework for local government negotiations.
While the Democratic Alliance retained an outright majority in Cape Town with 56.4 per cent, fragmented outcomes elsewhere demand complex power-sharing arrangements reminiscent of the South African government of national unity formed after the 2024 general election.
The electoral blow has also intensified internal leadership pressures ahead of the 2029 electoral cycle.
Although local media report that some party factions are pushing for Ramaphosa to step down early, the president has firmly dismissed speculation regarding his resignation as newly elected municipal councils prepare to convene within the statutory 14-day window.
