AfricaDevelopingDay 1
South Africa local elections
South Africans vote in local elections.
Updated 07:15 UTC, 4 November 2026 · 3 reports from 3 outlets · 23 one-source
Image: Al Jazeera
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Written by AI only from the receipts on this page; each number links to the claim that line rests on.
What changed
Last 48 hours, newest first (times UTC)
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New claim Final results are expected on Sunday
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New claim Polls opened at 7am
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New claim Johannesburg has 4.8 million people
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New claim South Africa has 257 municipalities
14 earlier changes
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Story opened South Africans vote in local elections.
How it’s being told
One card per media bloc, with each outlet’s framing written from its own headlines.
European media
BBCPublic broadcasterThe GuardianNon-profit
- BBC centres ANC's 'decline' and DA's potential gains, quoting 'towns and cities that work best' under DA governance.
- The Guardian centres ANC's struggles with 'poor service delivery' and 'unstable coalitions' amidst local elections.
Middle East state media
Al JazeeraState media
- Al Jazeera centres the ANC's performance, using 'test' and 'embattled' to describe the party.
In their words
What the people at the centre of this story said, word for word, with the article each quote appeared in.
We are going to start by taking back our country here
towns and cities that work best are under DA governance
Receipts
Every claim with the verbatim sentence it came from. Tap a claim to see its sources.
One source 23
Only one outlet so far. Shown, never hidden — treat with care.
Final results are expected on Sunday
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“Final results are expected on Sunday.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsSouth Africans vote in local elections seen as test for embattled ANC
Only 46 percent of registered voters took part in the 2021 municipal elections
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“Only 46 percent of registered voters took part in the 2021 municipal elections.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsSouth Africans vote in local elections seen as test for embattled ANC
Zuma told supporters "We are going to start by taking back our country here"
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““We are going to start by taking back our country here,” Zuma told supporters in the city on Sunday, the AFP news agency reported.”
Al JazeeraState mediaAttributesSouth Africans vote in local elections seen as test for embattled ANC
Ramaphosa is due to vote at Hyde Park High School
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“Ramaphosa is due to vote at Hyde Park High School in Johannesburg, the presidency said.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsSouth Africans vote in local elections seen as test for embattled ANC
The ANC fell below 50 percent in municipal polls for the first time in 2021
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“The ANC fell below 50 percent in municipal polls for the first time in 2021.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsSouth Africans vote in local elections seen as test for embattled ANC
Polls opened at 7am
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“Polls opened at 7am (05:00 GMT) on Wednesday and close at 9pm (19:00 GMT).”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsSouth Africans vote in local elections seen as test for embattled ANC
A record 29.2 million people are registered to vote
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“A record 29.2 million people are registered to vote at 23,696 voting stations, according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsSouth Africans vote in local elections seen as test for embattled ANC
Johannesburg has 4.8 million people
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“Johannesburg, a city of 4.8 million people that has faced water shortages for more than a week, has had 10 mayors in as many years.”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsANC faces anger over poor services as South Africans vote in local elections
South Africa has 257 municipalities
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“Unstable coalitions are already a feature of many of South Africa’s 257 municipalities, and analysts point to their high turnover as a major reason for poor service delivery.”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsANC faces anger over poor services as South Africans vote in local elections
Johannesburg has faced water shortages for more than a week
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“Johannesburg, a city of 4.8 million people that has faced water shortages for more than a week, has had 10 mayors in as many years.”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsANC faces anger over poor services as South Africans vote in local elections
more than 800 people contracted a gastrointestinal illness
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“In October, more than 800 people contracted a gastrointestinal illness from contaminated water in Bronkhorstspruit, in east Tshwane.”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsANC faces anger over poor services as South Africans vote in local elections
Ekurhuleni has had three mayors since 2021
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“The neighbouring municipality of Ekurhuleni has had three mayors since 2021.”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsANC faces anger over poor services as South Africans vote in local elections
Johannesburg has had 10 mayors in as many years
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“Johannesburg, a city of 4.8 million people that has faced water shortages for more than a week, has had 10 mayors in as many years.”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsANC faces anger over poor services as South Africans vote in local elections
polls show it getting less than a third of the vote
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“However, polls show it getting less than a third of the vote, down from 45.6% at the last municipal elections in 2021 and 40.2% in 2024’s national elections.”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsANC faces anger over poor services as South Africans vote in local elections
The African National Congress is on course for a bruising result
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“The African National Congress is on course for a bruising result in South Africa’s local elections on Wednesday as voters go to the polls amid deep discontent over water outages, power cuts and crumbling infrastructure.”
The GuardianNon-profitReportsANC faces anger over poor services as South Africans vote in local elections
Helen Zille: towns and cities that work best are under DA governance
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“She believes the DA is the country's best choice for a government, telling local radio broadcaster 702 last week that"towns and cities that work best are under DA governance"”
BBCPublic broadcasterAttributesANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline
Ipsos predicts the DA will garner 25% support in this election
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“The same poll, along with others, points to a slight increase in electoral support for the Democratic Alliance (DA), especially in Johannesburg. Ipsos predicts the DA will garner 25% support in this election, up from 22% last time”
BBCPublic broadcasterAttributesANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline
Only 39 clean audits were given between 2024 and 2025
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“A recent report only gave 39 clean audits - the highest ranking a public entity can achieve - between 2024 and 2025”
BBCPublic broadcasterReportsANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline
The ANC faces immense pressure to reverse years of decline
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“The ANC faces immense pressure to reverse years of decline”
BBCPublic broadcasterReportsANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline
President Cyril Ramaphosa denied that his party was in a downward spiral
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“Polls and pundits have predicted a further loss in these elections but President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied that his party was in a downward spiral”
BBCPublic broadcasterDeniesANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline
The ANC's share dropped to 40% two decades later
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“Two decades later its share dropped to 40%”
BBCPublic broadcasterReportsANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline
The ANC got 70% of the vote in the general election in 2004
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“At its peak, in 2004, the ANC got 70% of the vote in the general election”
BBCPublic broadcasterReportsANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline
More than 500 parties are contesting the elections
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“More than 500 parties are contesting the elections”
BBCPublic broadcasterReportsANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline
Ask about this story
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Watch
News video from the outlets covering this story.
What's driving the decline of the ANC? | Inside Story
Unemployment and high crime rates remain key concerns for voters
South Africans demand security and basic services as they vote in local elections
South Africans demand security and basic services as they vote in local elections • FRANCE 24
South Africa elections: Water shortages fuel anger over failing services
All sources
3 reports from 3 outlets — with who owns each outlet and who pays for it.
Al Jazeera State media
QatarOwner: Al Jazeera Media NetworkPaid by: funded by the State of Qatar
BBC Public broadcaster
United KingdomOwner: BBC — public corporation under Royal CharterPaid by: TV licence fee
The Guardian Non-profit
United KingdomOwner: Guardian Media Group, owned by the Scott Trust LimitedPaid by: reader contributions + subscriptions + advertising; Scott Trust endowment
Not covered yet by
Associated PressCGTNCNADWEuronewsFinancial TimesForeign PolicyFox NewsFrance 24NPRRTReutersSky NewsSouth China Morning PostSputnikTASSTRT WorldThe New York TimesThe Times of IndiaWION
Outlets we monitor that have not reported this story. Silence can be signal.
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Our analysis pieces on this story.
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23 one-source3 outletsUpdated