By Johnathan Paoli
South Africa’s latest round of municipal by-elections delivered dramatic political tremors on Wednesday night, as the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and ActionSA notched historic victories that signalled shifting voter loyalties and deepening disillusionment with the African National Congress (ANC) in both urban and rural strongholds.
In what some have called one of the most symbolic defeats for the ANC in Gauteng’s heartland, the PA stormed to victory in Ward 29 (Diepkloof–Noordgesig), Johannesburg, securing 30% of the vote, up from 13% in 2021.
The ANC’s support collapsed from 39% to 23%, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rose modestly to 16%.
“The streets spoke, and the message is clear: Ons Baiza Nie! Congratulations to Councillor Ismael Steenkamp and the people of Noordgesig! The Patriotic Alliance has officially WON the by-election in the City of Johannesburg,” the PA said in a celebratory post late on Wednesday.
While the ANC managed to
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