South Africa's ANC to hold talks after election rout

Reeling from its worst election showing ever, South Africa's African National Congress meets Thursday to assess the damage and map out its coalition strategy after voters stripped it of its municipal dominance.

The ANC, Africa's oldest liberation movement, has long relied on the political capital of its anti-apartheid legacy. But in last week's local government elections, it secured only about 31 percent of the vote.

Though it remained the largest party nationally, support fell sharply across key urban centres, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, as voters punished President Cyril Ramaphosa's party over corruption scandals and its failure to deliver basic public services in the areas it governs.

The National Executive Committee, the party's highest decision-making body, will adopt a framework to guide coalition negotiations and hear reports on initial talks with other parties, the ANC said.

"The election outcome has placed before the ANC a serious political responsibility to listen to the people, confront its shortcomings and provide leadership as municipalities prepare to establish governments," it said.

Cape Town was the only one of South Africa's eight major metros where a party secured an outright majority, with the liberal Democratic Alliance (DA), the ANC's closest rival, winning 56.4 percent of the vote.

Elsewhere, fragmented results have set the stage for complex coalition bargaining.

The ANC was already forced to share power at national level after losing its parliamentary majority in the 2024 general election, entering a government of national unity with nine other parties.

The party said on Wednesday its response would not be reduced to "negotiating for positions" but would focus on improving South Africans' lives and advancing the party's renewal.

Previous local coalitions have been plagued by infighting, shifting loyalties and collapsing majorities, often leaving councils paralysed and basic services neglected.

Thursday's meeting also comes as the ANC approaches a leadership transition, with the party expected in the coming months to choose the candidate who will lead it into the 2029 general election.

Local media have reported that some within the movement want Ramaphosa to step down as ANC president before the end of his term, arguing the party needs a reset after its latest electoral blow.

Ramaphosa has dismissed speculation that he intends to resign.

Under South African law, newly elected councils must convene for the first time within 14 days of the formal declaration of results, when councillors elect mayors and other office-bearers.