First results show South Africa's ANC headed to all-time election low with 32%

Partial results for South Africa's local elections were released on Friday and showed the ruling African National Congress was headed for its worst-ever election performance. The ANC remains the largest party with nearly 32% of votes after 80% had been counted. The party has led South Africa since the end of the apartheid regime in 1994, but it has seen support erode over the last decade. The centre-right Democratic Alliance was placing second in this week's poll, with just over 24% of votes according to the partial count. The Democratic Alliance was set to maintain control of Cape Town and was also leading in the battle for Johannesburg. With outright majorities unlikely in several major cities, the results will usher in complex coalition negotiations. Turnout was an estimated 54.5%, up from 46% in the pandemic-hit 2021 local elections. Final results are expected on Sunday. Wednesday's municipal elections were dominated by concerns over failing water and power supplies. The result is seen as an indication of voter sentiment ahead of the 2029 general election.