McKenzie blames ANC for DA’s gains as 2026 local government election results emerge

Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has placed responsibility for the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) growing electoral support squarely on the African National Congress (ANC), arguing that the governing party has created the conditions that allowed its political rival to make significant gains in the 2026 Local Government Elections.

McKenzie’s remarks come as the country continues to digest the latest election results, which have highlighted shifting political loyalties and growing competition among South Africa’s major political parties.

The 2026 local government polls have provided another indication of the changing political landscape, with voters increasingly using their ballots to express dissatisfaction with political leadership, service delivery challenges and the performance of municipalities.

According to McKenzie, the ANC cannot blame other political parties for the DA’s electoral progress when its own political decisions and performance have contributed to the situation.

His argument suggests that the DA’s growing support should be understood within the broader context of voter dissatisfaction with the ANC, which has governed several municipalities and provinces for decades.

The DA has been positioning itself as an alternative to the ANC, campaigning on issues including accountability, effective governance, economic opportunities and improved service delivery.

Its performance in the 2026 elections has consequently become an important talking point, particularly as political parties begin assessing the implications of the results for municipal leadership and possible coalition arrangements.

For the ANC, the election presents another difficult moment in its political journey, with the party facing increasing pressure to regain public confidence and demonstrate that it can address the challenges confronting communities.

McKenzie’s comments also come at a time when coalition politics is expected to play an important role in determining the future of several municipalities. Parties that fail to secure outright majorities may have to negotiate with smaller political formations to establish governing arrangements.

The PA, under McKenzie’s leadership, is among the parties whose electoral performance and potential coalition influence could become significant during the post-election negotiations.

However, the unfolding results also demonstrate that South African politics is becoming increasingly competitive, with traditional political strongholds no longer guaranteed to deliver overwhelming support to established parties.

The ANC now faces the challenge of examining the reasons behind its electoral setbacks, while the DA will be expected to translate its growing support into effective municipal governance.

Ultimately, McKenzie’s assessment reinforces a central message emerging from the 2026 elections: political parties must take responsibility for their performance, as voters continue to reshape South Africa’s political future through the ballot box.

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