/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ED_346944.jpg?ssl=1 "ANC Suffers Significant Losses in Ward Polls to MK, PA, and Independent Candidates")
Key Takeaways
- The Democratic Alliance (DA) retained its seat in Ward 2 of the Kouga municipality, with a 97% vote haul in Aston Bay.
- The Patriotic Alliance (PA) won its second successive ward off the African National Congress (ANC) in Kou-Kamma, with a 44% return.
- The ANC retained its seat in Ward 10 of the Makana municipality, but fell to the 50% mark.
- The DA dominated the by-election in Ward 90 of the Johannesburg municipality, winning 97% of the vote.
- The ANC retained its seat in Ward 10 of the Merafong municipality, but with a reduced majority.
- The Minority Front (MK) won its second successive ward off the ANC in Mandeni, with a 61% return.
- An independent candidate, Danfrid Morolong, shocked the ANC by beating the party’s candidate in Ward 5 of the Siyancuma municipality.
- The ANC retained its seat in Ward 7 of the Hantam municipality, ensuring it holds onto its outright majority in the council.
Introduction to the By-Elections
The recent by-elections in various municipalities across South Africa have provided valuable insights into the current state of the country’s political landscape. The elections were held in several wards, including Ward 2 of the Kouga municipality, Ward 2 of the Kou-Kamma municipality, Ward 10 of the Makana municipality, Ward 90 of the Johannesburg municipality, Ward 10 of the Merafong municipality, Ward 17 of the Mandeni municipality, Ward 5 of the Siyancuma municipality, and Ward 7 of the Hantam municipality. The results of these by-elections have significant implications for the upcoming local government elections.
Kouga Municipality: Ward 2
In Ward 2 of the Kouga municipality, the DA retained its seat, with a 47% return, while the PA came second with 27%. The ANC finished third with 25%. The DA’s strong performance in Aston Bay, where it won 92% of the vote, was a significant factor in its victory. The PA, however, made significant gains in Pellsrus, where it won 45% of the vote, surpassing the ANC’s 23%. The by-election was characterized by a high turnout, with 63% of registered voters casting their ballots.
Kou-Kamma Municipality: Ward 2
In Ward 2 of the Kou-Kamma municipality, the PA won its second successive ward off the ANC, with a 44% return. The ANC came second with 42%, while the DA finished third with 14%. The PA’s strong performance in Louterwater, where it won 50% of the vote, was a key factor in its victory. The DA, however, won 81% of the vote in Joubertina, but its overall performance in the ward was not enough to secure a win. The by-election was marked by a high turnout, with 63% of registered voters casting their ballots.
Makana Municipality: Ward 10
In Ward 10 of the Makana municipality, the ANC retained its seat, but fell to the 50% mark. The DA came second with 25%, while the Makana Citizens Front (MCF) finished third with 10%. The ANC’s performance in the ward was characterized by a decline in support, with the party losing ground to the DA and the MCF. The by-election was marked by a low turnout, with 41% of registered voters casting their ballots.
Johannesburg Municipality: Ward 90
In Ward 90 of the Johannesburg municipality, the DA dominated the by-election, winning 97% of the vote. The ANC finished second with 3%. The DA’s strong performance in the ward was characterized by a high turnout, with 18% of registered voters casting their ballots. The by-election was marked by a lack of competition, with only two parties contesting the election.
Merafong Municipality: Ward 10
In Ward 10 of the Merafong municipality, the ANC retained its seat, but with a reduced majority. The EFF came second with 20%, while ActionSA finished third with 16%. The ANC’s performance in the ward was characterized by a decline in support, with the party losing ground to the EFF and ActionSA. The by-election was marked by a low turnout, with 43% of registered voters casting their ballots.
Mandeni Municipality: Ward 17
In Ward 17 of the Mandeni municipality, the MK won its second successive ward off the ANC, with a 61% return. The ANC came second with 30%, while the IFP finished third with 9%. The MK’s strong performance in the ward was characterized by a high turnout, with 43% of registered voters casting their ballots. The by-election was marked by a significant shift in support, with the MK gaining ground at the expense of the ANC.
Siyancuma Municipality: Ward 5
In Ward 5 of the Siyancuma municipality, an independent candidate, Danfrid Morolong, shocked the ANC by beating the party’s candidate. Morolong won 47% of the vote, while the ANC finished second with 25%. The PA came third with 19%. The by-election was marked by a high turnout, with 66% of registered voters casting their ballots.
Hantam Municipality: Ward 7
In Ward 7 of the Hantam municipality, the ANC retained its seat, ensuring it holds onto its outright majority in the council. The DA came second with 36%, while the PA finished third with 12%. The ANC’s strong performance in the ward was characterized by a high turnout, with 57% of registered voters casting their ballots. The by-election was marked by a significant shift in support, with the ANC gaining ground at the expense of the DA.
Conclusion
The recent by-elections have provided valuable insights into the current state of South Africa’s political landscape. The results have significant implications for the upcoming local government elections, with parties such as the DA, PA, and MK making significant gains at the expense of the ANC. The by-elections have also highlighted the importance of turnout, with high turnout rates characterizing many of the elections. As the country approaches the local government elections, parties will need to carefully consider their strategies and tactics to maximize their chances of success.
