ANC Has Reportedly Announced To Dump DA After Local Government Elections

The African National Congress (ANC) could reconsider its political relationship with the Democratic Alliance (DA) following South Africa’s upcoming local government elections, amid growing political tensions and uncertainty over the future of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The possibility of the ANC distancing itself from the DA after the November 4 elections has become an important talking point as both political parties intensify their campaigns and attempt to convince voters that they are the best choice to govern municipalities across the country.

The relationship between the ANC and DA has faced considerable pressure since the formation of the Government of National Unity in 2024. Although both parties agreed to work together in the national government, their political differences have remained visible, particularly during election campaigns.

The local government elections are expected to provide another major test of their relationship, especially if the ANC experiences further electoral losses or finds itself in a weaker negotiating position after the results are announced.

Recent opinion polls suggest that the ANC is facing significant challenges in maintaining its traditional support base, while the DA has made progress in several key metropolitan areas.

An Ipsos survey published on October 30 placed the ANC at 30% nationally, compared with 28% for the DA. The survey also showed the growing influence of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), highlighting the increasingly fragmented nature of South Africa’s political landscape.

These figures suggest that neither the ANC nor the DA can confidently expect to govern many municipalities without negotiating with other political parties.

The situation could create further complications for the national coalition, particularly if the two parties struggle to agree on coalition arrangements at municipal level.

According to political analysis published ahead of the elections, the ANC could face pressure from within its own structures to reconsider its participation in the national coalition if its electoral performance is significantly weaker than expected.

Some ANC members could argue that remaining in government alongside the DA makes it difficult for the party to distinguish itself politically and campaign effectively ahead of the 2029 national elections.

However, abandoning the DA-led partnership would not necessarily be an easy decision for the ANC, considering the political and economic implications of such a move.

The DA, on the other hand, has continued to position itself as a strong alternative to the ANC, particularly in municipalities where service delivery, infrastructure development, corruption and municipal administration have become major election issues.

Political observers have also highlighted the possibility of the ANC and DA being forced to negotiate with each other after the elections if neither party secures enough seats to establish a stable municipal government.

Johannesburg is expected to be one of the most closely watched battlegrounds, with polling suggesting that the DA and ANC could face difficult coalition negotiations following the announcement of the results.

A report by Daily Maverick on the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection’s 2026 Coalitions Barometer also revealed that the ANC and DA have not governed together in a single municipal coalition since the 2021 local government elections, despite their partnership at national level.

This highlights the difference between their national political arrangement and their approach to municipal governance.

Nevertheless, there is currently no confirmed announcement that the ANC has decided to withdraw from the Government of National Unity or formally terminate its relationship with the DA after the local government elections.

Much will depend on the election results, internal party discussions and the willingness of both organisations to continue working together despite their political disagreements.

With South Africans preparing to vote on November 4, the outcome could significantly reshape the country’s political landscape and determine whether the ANC and DA remain partners or begin moving in different political directions.

For now, the future of the ANC-DA relationship remains uncertain, but the upcoming elections could prove decisive in determining how long their political partnership survives.

Source: https://x.com/SundayWorldZA/status/2116605364888011186