By Johnathan Paoli
The African National Congress (ANC) has successfully defended its control of ward 23 in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, securing 63.6% of the vote in Wednesday’s by-election in Motherwell.
Celebrating the win on social media platform X, the ANC thanked voters for their support.
“The ANC thanks the people of Ward 23, our volunteers, activists and supporters for delivering this important by-election victory. The ANC lives. Renewal continues,” the party tweeted.
While the party retained the seat with a strong majority, the results signalled notable political shifts in the township, with both the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) registering significant gains.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission, voter turnout for the by-election was 29%, indicating continued voter apathy in parts of the metro.
The ANC’s vote share fell from 76.3% in 2021 to 63.6%, a drop of nearly 13 percentage points, although the party still managed to win a comfortable two-thirds majority in a ward considered one of its strongholds.
The party garnered 1539 votes, keeping control of a seat that covers areas of Motherwell with longstanding ties to the ANC.
The EFF emerged as the biggest gainer, increasing its share of the vote from 12.8% in 2021 to 25%.
This follows a similar trend observed during the 2024 provincial elections, where the party achieved 20% in the same ward.
EFF officials hailed the result as a sign of growing support among urban voters in the Eastern Cape.
The party’s mobilisation efforts and high-visibility campaign in the lead-up to the by-election appear to have paid off.
The MKP, contesting the ward for the first time, made a modest but meaningful showing, capturing 9.5% of the vote.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) opted not to contest the by-election, continuing a trend of low participation in eastern townships where the party has historically struggled.
AZAPO, also on the ballot, managed only 1% of the vote, reflecting its limited organisational footprint in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Attention now shifts to the next round of by-elections scheduled for 20 August, where the ANC will be defending two wards in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, covering Southernwood in Mthatha and in Knysna (Dam-Se-Bos Nekkies).
The DA, meanwhile, will defend a seat in Matzikama (Vanrhynsdorp) in the Western Cape.
Campaigning is already underway in King Sebata Dalindyebo ward 6, with EFF secretary-general Dlamini Marshall and other senior party leaders holding meetings with the sub-regional interim leadership, public representatives and ground teams.
EFF candidate Ntsikelelo Mzalisi will be contesting ward 6 in Mthatha, with voting set to take place at Transkei Primary School, Mthatha General Tent, Southernwood Community Hall and Southernwood School.
As South Africa moves further towards the local polls next year, all eyes will be on how the ANC, EFF and MK navigate shifting allegiances in an increasingly competitive local political landscape.
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