MK Party Surges in KwaZulu-Natal as ActionSA Expands Gauteng Footprint
New political dynamics emerge as MK party dominates KwaZulu-Natal and ActionSA gains ground in Gauteng.
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1Shift in Electoral Landscape
The 2026 local government elections have fundamentally altered South Africa's political map. In KwaZulu-Natal, Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party has emerged as a dominant force, while ActionSA is making significant inroads into traditionally ANC-controlled townships across Gauteng. These results reflect a clear decline in the African National Congress's historical electoral dominance.
2MK Party's Provincial Dominance
Contesting its first local government election, the MK party leads in several KwaZulu-Natal municipalities. It secured an outright 56% majority in Richmond and holds strong positions in Impendle, uMshwathi, and Johannes Phumani Phungula. With 431 council seats already secured, the party has established itself as the primary challenger to established political entities.
3ANC's Declining Ward Presence
The ANC faces a substantial reduction in its ward representation across major metropolitan areas. In Johannesburg, its ward count dropped from 87 in 2021 to 44, while Ekurhuleni fell from 78 to 26. Tshwane also saw a decline from 70 to 29, signaling a shift in voter preference within urban townships.
4ActionSA's Gauteng Expansion
ActionSA is on track to lead in 51 wards across Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni. The party has successfully expanded its footprint into areas like Soweto, Tembisa, and Atteridgeville. This performance marks a major improvement from 2021, when the party failed to win a single ward in the Gauteng province during elections.
5Coalition Realities in KZN
Despite its strong performance, the MK party lacks an outright majority in many KwaZulu-Natal municipalities, necessitating coalition talks. Provincial leader Willies Mchunu has expressed a willingness to negotiate with all parties to secure governance. However, previous 2024 national election dynamics left the party excluded from power despite its significant electoral support.
6ActionSA's KZN Performance
In KwaZulu-Natal, ActionSA secured 1.07% of the vote and two proportional representation seats. Chairperson Zwakele Mncwango highlighted this as a success, noting the party did not contest all municipalities. By finishing in the top six, the party views its limited presence as a foundation for growth in future electoral cycles.
7Fragmented Municipal Governance
The current results indicate a highly competitive environment where smaller parties hold significant leverage. With the IFP maintaining its stronghold in Mthonjaneni and the MK party leading in 14 other areas without a majority, the formation of stable local governments will depend heavily on the outcome of complex, ongoing coalition negotiations.
8Future Political Implications
As vote counting concludes, the focus shifts to potential objections and the finalization of official results. The rise of the MK party and ActionSA suggests a move toward a more fragmented political landscape. Parties must now navigate these new power dynamics to govern effectively in a post-ANC majority era.