The African National Congress (ANC) has secured a hard-fought victory in the recent by-elections for the Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo, but the results have once again highlighted the shifting dynamics of local governance in South Africa. Following the dissolution of the municipality, which left all 24 council seats vacant, over 51,000 registered voters were called to cast their ballots. Voting took place across 57 stations, and with 405 candidates from 21 political parties and five independents vying for seats, the by-election was a highly contested affair.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) confirmed the results on Thursday, with 19,812 voters participating in the election. The ANC emerged as the leading party, securing 39.65% of the vote and winning 10 out of the 24 council seats. While the ANC’s victory gives it the largest share of the vote, it falls short of securing an outright majority, leaving the municipality with a hung council. This outcome reflects the increasing complexity of local governance in South Africa, where no single party is able to command a dominant presence.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) came in second, with 16.41% of the vote, securing four seats in the council. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) followed closely behind, winning three seats with 13.32% of the vote. Smaller parties also made significant strides, with the Labour Party of South Africa and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) each obtaining two seats, representing 8.59% and 7.09% of the vote respectively. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the Thabazimbi Residents Association (TRA) each garnered a single seat, contributing to the fragmented makeup of the newly formed council.
This division of seats leaves the Thabazimbi council in a position where no single party holds a clear mandate, creating a need for coalition-building in order to establish a functioning government. The ANC’s majority is far from secure, and the municipality’s future governance will rely heavily on the ability of parties to negotiate and form alliances. This is a growing trend in South African politics, where coalitions are becoming the norm rather than the exception, particularly in municipalities that are seeing an increase in voter fragmentation.
The results of the Thabazimbi by-election are emblematic of broader trends observed in the 2021 municipal elections, where the ANC, despite winning 11 of the 12 wards, was unable to secure an outright majority. With 47% of the vote, the ANC fell short of full control, and the DA, with just 15%, was able to form a coalition with smaller parties to take control of the municipality. This coalition arrangement has become a common feature in many South African municipalities, where the rise of hung councils has made single-party rule less feasible.
Since 2000, the number of hung councils has grown significantly, with 82 municipalities facing this challenge in 2021, up from just 29 in the early 2000s. This shift reflects a changing political landscape, where traditional party dominance is increasingly being challenged by a more diverse and fragmented electorate. As the ANC continues to lose control over municipalities, it faces growing pressure to adapt to a new era of coalition politics, where collaboration and negotiation will be essential for effective governance.
