Buffalo City battle: ANC drops below 40% as coalition talks loom large
The United Democratic Movement’s (UDM)campaign also seems to be paying off, with the party currently the third biggest party with 17% of the vote and two council seats already in the bag.
Babalo Ndenze
ANC supporters. Picture: Alpha Ramushwana/EWN
Alpha Ramushwana/EWN
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Buffalo City Metro looks set to remain the biggest party but without a clear majority.
The party is currently sitting at just under 40% of the vote, with more than half the votes in the metro counted.
The United Democratic Movement’s (UDM)campaign also seems to be paying off, with the party currently the third biggest party with 17% of the vote and two council seats already in the bag.
The ANC has already guaranteed 10 council seats, with the DA currently sitting with 5 seats and 20% of the vote in the 100-seat council.
The UDM has also gained support and is sitting in third place with 2 seats, after managing just 1 PR seat and 0 wards in 2021.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) has also surprised many by winning its 1st ward in the metro in its first attempt after it resolved to contest the elections independently.
Provincial spokesperson Xolani Malamlela said they won’t let their voters down.
“We will deliver exactly what is outlined in our manifesto, which we are mobilizing our people around. We will make sure service delivery is our priority,” said Malamlela.
With the ANC unlikely to win a majority, parties like the SACP and UDM have not ruled out going into coalition with parties that share the same values.