Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
2026 local government electionslatest news & developments
African Content Movement (ACM) leader Hlaudi Motsoeneng is being approached by other political parties in the council to take over from ANC mayor Malekula Melato.

ACM leader Hlaudi Motsoeneng being lobbied for Maluti-a-Phofung mayor role

Motsoeneng says he wants to “take over properly” as coalition talks continue in the troubled Maluti-a-Phofung municipality

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba. Photo: Action SA

Herman Mashaba in bid to reclaim Joburg mayor’s office

ActionSA has confirmed that its leader is among five shortlisted candidates to lead the party’s 2026 Johannesburg mayoral campaign, with a final decision expected on 21 February

The ANC in Tshwane will demand the mayoral position even if the party fails to win local government elections later this year outright but manages to secure a majority in council, its regional secretary George Matjila (centre) said.

ANC wants Tshwane mayoralty, even without outright win in 2026

The party’s regional secretary said should it be forced into a coalition following the local government elections, with a majority, it would demand the mayoral chain

Intent on governing: EFF leader Julius Malema talking to the media
about the party’s campaign strategy. Photo: EFF

EFF vows to ‘punish’ ANC at polls

Next local government elections will be a decisive test, Malema says as party launches plan of attack

EFF president Julius Malema.

Malema warns of possible political persecution ahead of 2026 local elections

The EFF leader suggested that the United States might attempt to influence the elections over policy differences with South Africa

Siviwe Gwarube Photo: Supplied

Gwarube eyes top DA post

Gwarube will vie for the position at the 2026 elective congress, aiming to succeed Helen Zille as federal council chair rather than pursuing the federal leader role

Celebration: On Thursday, Ramaphosa received a loud cheer in Boitekong, Rustenburg as he arrived  for the regional cake cutting for the anniversary. (Lunga Mzangwe/M&G)

Ramaphosa: No political party has done more good for South Africans than the ANC

The ANC president said this was a fact, whether people liked it or not

ANC  secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. (X)

Mbalula: ANC has failed to convince SACP against contesting 2026 elections independently

The ANC secretary-general said the organisation might need to reconsider the policy of allowing dual membership of both parties

The IEC has registered 62 more political parties following the 2024 national and provincial elections.
(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

More than 60 political parties registered after 2024, says IEC

The IEC said 14 of the new parties were registered between August and October 2025

Deputy President Paul Mashatile. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Mashatile: ANC has failed to improve South Africa

He said the party needed to do introspection and admit to the mistakes of the past to ensure that it fixes them

Under pressure: Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero: Photo: City of Johannesburg

Morero on shaky ground as Masuku gains support

Loyiso Masuku is gaining ground ahead of the ANC’s Johannesburg regional conference where the two will vie for the chairperson position

South Africa has a structural unemployment problem that is not primarily caused by increased labour migration. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G

ActionSA pushes for constitutional change as Operation Dudula  targets migrants at clinics

The Human Rights Commission and legal experts say the Constitution, the National Health Act, the UN Refugee Convention and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights…

Comeback kid? DA federal council chair Helen Zille, who lives in Cape Town, is yet to decide whether she will put herself forward as a mayoral candidate for Johannesburg. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Helen Zille’s mayoral bid divides DA

Democratic Alliance federal leader’s possible comeback as Joburg mayor also rattles rivals

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has replaced its long-standing president, Vuyolwethu Zungula. (@ATMovement_SA/Twitter)

Zungula removed as ATM leader because of his ‘growing popularity’, say party insiders

Sources said that despite Vuyo Zungula being a member of the African Transformation Movement’s national executive committee, he was not at the meeting that resolved to remove him…

Former MK party secretary general Floyd Shivambu. (File photo)

Calls for Shivambu’s head a result of ‘tribalism’, say his supporters

A faction in the uMkhonto weSizwe party aligned to traditional leaders is calling for a leadership change that could affect not only Floyd Shivambu

EFF leader Julius Malema. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

EFF to use ‘kill the boer’ as part of 2026 election strategy

The Economic Freedom Fighters insist on the use of the struggle song as a rallying cry ahead of the polls

Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng premier and co-convenor of the ANC in the province. Photo: X

Lesufi considering alternatives to politics, rules out ANC top seven bid

The premier and provincial co-convenor said the party would resurrect itself in Gauteng because there was no better alternative

The ANC in Gauteng believes it is on track to secure at least 40% of the vote in the 2026 local government elections (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

ANC Gauteng bets on internal renewal to lift 2026 election prospects

Internal polls forecast at least 40% of votes in the local government elections, while warnings against factionalism abound

EEF leader Julius Malema.

Malema’s accusations against MK party are ‘theatre of politics’, says Mzobe

Taking control of the ANC would be part of uMkhonto weSizwe party’s ‘political project’ of unifying black people, the MK party’s head of presidency added

EFF leader Julius Malema. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo)

EFF accuses ANC of ‘using’ it in government of national unity and budget talks

The Economic Freedom Fighters say the ANC only holds discussions with them during times of political crisis