 has successfully defended two wards in Wednesday’s by-elections, weathering a spirited Democratic Alliance (DA) challenge in Mpumalanga and delivering a dominant performance in Limpopo’s chrome belt.){kind=link}
By Johnathan Paoli
The African National Congress (ANC) has successfully defended two wards in Wednesday’s by-elections, weathering a spirited Democratic Alliance (DA) challenge in Mpumalanga and delivering a dominant performance in Limpopo’s chrome belt.
In a statement issued late on Wednesday night, ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu welcomed the results, describing them as proof that the ANC’s renewal programme is not only alive, but winning the hearts and minds of South Africans.
“These victories are more than numbers, they reflect the people’s confidence in the ANC’s commitment to delivery, unity and ethical leadership. The organisation is stabilising, reconnecting, and proving that disciplined work among the people restores both credibility and hope,” Bhengu said.
In Limpopo’s Ward 37 (Mphanama Mogodumo) in the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, the ANC cruised to a commanding victory with 71% of the vote; up sharply from 57%. in 2021.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) suffered a steep decline, falling to 13% from 28%, while an independent candidate linked to the Afrika Mayibuye Movement made a modest showing with 6%.
Smaller parties, including the South African Maintenance and Estate Beneficiaries Association (Sameba) and the Bolsheviks Party of South Africa, trailed behind with 5% and 2%, respectively.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) and uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) each received 1%.
Voter turnout climbed to 58%, up from 46% in 2021.
The ward, composed of several villages including Mphanama, Mogodumo and Strydkraal, is part of the ANC’s rural base in the province.
The by-election followed the death of the previous councillor.
Despite a crowded field of seven candidates, the ANC won over 70% of the vote in four of the six voting districts, peaking at 76%.
The ANC’s overwhelming victory here confirms its firm hold over Sekhukhune, where the chrome mining economy and longstanding party structures have historically kept opposition parties at bay.
In contrast, the ANC had to fight much harder in Ward 14 (Embalenhle) of the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in Mpumalanga’s Gert Sibande district.
The governing party emerged victorious with 44% of the vote, down slightly from 48% in 2021, holding off a resurgent DA, which surged to 27% from 19%.
The EFF remained steady at 17%, while the MKP took 10%, a drop from its strong provincial election showing earlier this year.
The poll turnout improved to 42% from 35% in the previous local government election, reflecting high voter interest in what was a competitive township contest.
The by-election followed the resignation of former ANC councillor and mayoral committee member Jabu Zwane, who left both the party and council over concerns about irregularities.
Despite that internal turbulence, the ANC managed to hold the seat, beating the DA by 352 votes.
The ruling party’s base remained firm in the Church of Jesus Christ Extension 14 district, the ward’s largest voting area, where it garnered over 50% and built a 341-vote buffer.
The DA claimed victory in the second-most-populous Siqalo Simfundo district with 47%, its best township result in recent memory, while the EFF trailed in third.
In the smallest district, the ANC held 45%, with the EFF narrowly overtaking the DA for second place.
The DA’s gains mark its second strong showing in Mpumalanga following its October by-election victory in Emalahleni.
The result demonstrates growing township inroads for the party and suggests the ANC cannot take urban Highveld support for granted.
For the ANC, the party improved slightly on its 2024 provincial election showing in the same ward, where it had managed just 40%.
The MKP’s disappointing fourth-place finish, despite earlier momentum, underscores its difficulty converting national attention into local organisational strength.
The final major by-election night of the year will take place on 26 November, featuring eight contests across five provinces.
The Eastern Cape will host three, including competitive races in Kou-Kamma and Kouga; Gauteng will see battles in Sandton and Merafong, while KwaZulu-Natal’s Mandeni will feature an ANC–MKP showdown.
Two Northern Cape wards will also be contested in Hantam and Siyancuma.
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