By Johnathan Paoli
The latest round of by-elections across South Africa delivered a mixed picture for the country’s political players.
The African National Congress (ANC) held steady in its Eastern Cape stronghold, while the Patriotic Alliance (PA) made significant inroads in the Western Cape, unsettling both the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the process.
On Wednesday, three wards were contested in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, Knysna on the Garden Route, and Vanrhynsdorp in the Matzikama Municipality on the West Coast.
In King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality’s Ward 6 (Southernwood, Mthatha), the ANC strengthened its position, improving slightly on its 2021 ward ballot return with 44% of the vote (up from 41%).
Independent candidate Pastor Cwengwa Dlulane, however, made a notable showing, capturing 23% and winning two of the ward’s four voting districts.
The EFF surged to 17%, almost doubling its 2021 tally of 9%, while the UDM slipped to 13% from its previous 18%.
The African Transformation Movement held steady at 3%, while the Mthatha Residents’ Ratepayers Association (10% in 2021) and the DA (9% in 2021) did not contest this round.
Despite the low turnout of 19% (down from 34%), the ANC will be pleased to have repelled the challenge from both independent and rising opposition parties.
The result also reinforces the ANC’s dominance in OR Tambo district, where it remains rock-solid across most wards.
In Ward 3 (Dam-Se-Bos, Knysna), the ANC scraped through with 50%, just 31 votes ahead of the PA, which rocketed to 48% from only 8% in 2021.
Minor parties including the African United Front and LAND Party registered 1% each, while the DA and EFF sat out the by-election despite having contested previously.
The PA pulled off a stunning victory at Chris Hani Community Hall in Dam-Se-Bos, securing 70% of the vote, a reversal of fortunes from 2024 when the ANC beat the PA by 356 votes there.
This time, the PA beat the ANC by 358 votes.
However, strong ANC turnout in Hlalalani and Nekkies saved the governing party, with the ANC winning those districts by comfortable margins.
In the end, a 52% turnout (up from 47%) reflected the intensity of the poll.
For the PA, the performance signals momentum ahead of the 2026 local government elections. Once dismissed as a minor player in Knysna, it has now firmly established itself as a contender capable of destabilising ANC dominance in the Garden Route.
PA leader Gayton McKenzie expressed thanks to residents for the growth of the party.
“The English dictionary doesn’t have a word to adequately express my gratitude to the people of Knysna, this was a difficult week for me and you fought for me, you stood up for me because you know me. I will be coming to thank you personally in the next two weeks. Thank you,” McKenzie said.
In Ward 7 (Vanrhynsdorp, Matzikama Municipality), the DA fended off a strong PA challenge, holding the seat with 43% of the vote, down sharply from 62% in 2021.
The PA surged from 6% to 37%, while the ANC collapsed from 31% to just 16%.
The United Democrats managed 3%, with #HOPE4SA picking up less than 1%.
The DA’s margin of victory was a narrow 166 votes, bolstered by commanding wins in the town’s centre, where it took 80% at the Town Hall and 92% at the High School voting district.
The PA, meanwhile, dominated Maskamsig, securing majorities in both voting districts there, while also pushing the ANC into a distant third place across all five voting districts.
Turnout was 62%, higher than in 2021, underscoring the stakes.
The DA’s win was politically significant. It now has seven seats in the 15-seat council, and with the Freedom Front Plus’s (FF+) single seat, it regains a working majority.
This puts the DA and FF+ in position to wrest back the mayoral chain from the current PA-led coalition.
In terms of the Eastern Cape, the ANC remains entrenched in its strongholds, as demonstrated in Mthatha, where even strong independents and growing EFF support were not enough to loosen its grip.
However, the ANC’s solid result in Mthatha came on the back of depressed turnout, a pattern that could pose risks in future higher-turnout elections.
In the Western Cape, the PA has emerged as a genuine disruptor, with its near win in Knysna and strong showing in Matzikama underscoring its ability to eat into both ANC and DA support.
The DA’s hold in Vanrhynsdorp shifts the balance of power in Matzikama council, likely ending the PA’s hold on the mayoralty.
The next by-elections are scheduled for 3 September, when the ANC will defend two safe wards – Emalahleni (Cacadu) in the Eastern Cape and Fetakgomo Tubatse in Limpopo.
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