The election is expected to see a fragmented vote share, with no party likely to win an outright majority in many municipalities. Johannesburg, a key battleground, has had five mayors in four years, according to The Guardian. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is leading in polls but will likely need coalition partners to govern. Helen Zille, the DA’s former national leader, is running for mayor and has used attention-grabbing stunts, such as snorkeling in a pothole, to highlight governance failures.

Voter dissatisfaction is evident in townships like Alexandra and Soweto, where residents complain about water and electricity shortages, poor sanitation, and neglect. The BBC reported that 18-year-old Sanele Ntombela, a first-time voter, is eager to vote for change, while many of his peers remain apathetic. In Soweto, resident Mduduzi Makhubo said the community struggles with unreliable water and electricity and plans to vote to “change the status quo.”

Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party is making a strong showing in Durban, where it is polling above 40%, according to Al Jazeera. Zuma told supporters in Durban that the party would “start by taking back our country here.” The MK’s emergence adds to the political fragmentation and could further weaken the ANC’s position in key regions.

Poor service delivery has been a major issue in South Africa’s municipalities, with many residents facing water and electricity outages. The Guardian reported that over 800 people in Bronkhorstspruit contracted a gastrointestinal illness from contaminated water in October. Only 39 of South Africa’s 257 municipalities received clean audits in recent years, according to the BBC.

Voter turnout may be a concern, as only 46% of registered voters participated in the 2021 municipal elections. Al Jazeera reported that 21 election-related cases had been recorded since Sunday, with 165 high-risk voting stations in KwaZulu-Natal. The Electoral Commission of South Africa registered 29.2 million voters for the 2026 elections, with more than 1.4 million special votes cast on Monday and Tuesday.

The outcome will determine the political dynamics in key cities and could influence national politics in the coming years.