# DA Projected to Lead Johannesburg Following 2026 Local Election Gains Provisional results indicate a fragmented political landscape necessitating complex coalition negotiations for Johannesburg's governance. - **Source:** [Daily Maverick](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/af568b97-54b2-45ad-9aaa-14f5d7f2030e ## DA Dominates Key Wards In Johannesburg’s Ward 90, home to President Cyril Ramaphosa and EFF leader Julius Malema, the Democratic Alliance is projected to secure 79.4% of the vote. This significant margin reflects a broader trend of suburban consolidation for the party, while the ANC and EFF trailed with 4.6% and 2.3% respectively. ## Fragmented Political Landscape Provisional results confirm that no single party will achieve an outright majority in Johannesburg. This outcome forces the city into a complex coalition environment, with party leaders preparing for negotiations. The political landscape is increasingly fragmented, as traditional dominance by the ANC continues to erode across major metropolitan councils. ## DA Claims Mandate to Lead DA federal chairperson Ashor Sarupen argues that as the largest party, the DA holds a democratic mandate to lead the city government. The party expects to reach nearly 40% of the vote in Johannesburg, which would represent its strongest performance in the city’s history, positioning them centrally for upcoming coalition talks. ## ActionSA Emerges as Kingmaker ActionSA has secured 55 wards, positioning itself as a vital kingmaker in the post-election negotiations. National chairperson Michael Beaumont confirmed that both the ANC and DA have initiated contact. The party’s success is attributed to its grassroots strategy of establishing branches in every ward to address local service delivery concerns. ## ANC Reflects on Setbacks The ANC acknowledges a challenging performance in Johannesburg, a city historically significant to its struggle legacy. Deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane stated the party remains committed to ensuring stability. The ANC intends to participate in coalition discussions, emphasizing the need for inclusive governance rather than the exclusion of smaller political parties. ## Shifting Voter Demographics The DA reports a notable shift in its support base, successfully attracting black voters across various regions. Sarupen noted that the party is overtaking the EFF in black voter support without compromising its core values. This demographic expansion is viewed as a key milestone in the party’s goal of becoming a mainstream national force. ## Service Delivery Drives Results ActionSA’s electoral success was largely fueled by its focus on the rule of law and infrastructure maintenance. Voters in Johannesburg responded to campaigns addressing hijacked buildings and vandalized power infrastructure. By logging and following up on specific service delivery complaints, the party built direct accountability with residents in key urban wards. ## Coalition Principles Under Debate Negotiations are expected to begin within days, with the potential for either Helen Zille or Herman Mashaba to become mayor. The ANC advocates for a coalition grounded in principles rather than convenience. Meanwhile, the DA maintains that the largest party should lead, citing precedents established during the national government of unity. ## Rebuilding Party Structures ActionSA’s recovery from the 2024 elections involved a complete structural overhaul, including the cancellation of all memberships. This rigorous process allowed the party to rebuild from the ground up, ensuring active engagement in every ward. This organizational discipline proved critical in translating community concerns into a strong electoral mandate for 2026. ## National Political Realignment The election results suggest a significant political realignment across South Africa. The DA and ActionSA are the only parties showing consistent growth, while the ANC’s long-standing dominance faces pressure. Experts suggest that the scale of fragmentation may necessitate new legislative thresholds to exclude micro-parties from future municipal representation in councils. ## Future of Johannesburg Governance Johannesburg faces a critical period as parties navigate the complexities of a hung council. The city’s future depends on whether leaders can prioritize infrastructure and governance over political maneuvering. With the DA, ANC, and ActionSA holding significant but non-majority shares, the resulting coalition will define the city’s trajectory for the next term. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-11-05-da-projected-to-win-79-in-ramaphosa-and-malemas-joburg-home-ward/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._