- The ANC’s historical contribution to ending apartheid has not been enough to shield it from growing public dissatisfaction, as the nation continues to battle unemployment, corruption, deteriorating infrastructure, and unreliable supplies of basic necessities like electricity and water.
- The ANC secured 30.76% of the national vote, down from 45.59% in 2021, marking its worst electoral performance since the inception of democratic rule.
- India-South Africa bilateral trade stood at $18.01 billion in 2024-25, with significant opportunities for Indian companies in infrastructure, engineering, technology and critical minerals.
South Africa has entered a new phase of political uncertainty. The African National Congress (ANC), the party that led the struggle against apartheid under Nelson Mandela, has suffered its worst electoral performance since the inception of democratic rule in 1994.
In the 4 November 2026 local government elections, the ANC secured just 30.76% of the national vote, a sharp decline from 45.59% in the 2021 elections. Its rival, the Democratic Alliance (DA), secured 24.64%, while former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party emerged as the third-largest party with 9.76%. (1)
The results are significant because they indicate that South African voters are increasingly moving beyond historical political loyalties and are beginning to judge parties on governance, employment, corruption and the delivery of basic amenities.
However, these were local government elections, not parliamentary elections. The results do not directly determine the composition of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national government or South Africa’s foreign policy.
ANC Loses Ground?
According to South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission, of the approximately 29.2 million registered voters, 14.9 million participated in the elections. Voter turnout stood at 52%, compared with 45.9% in 2021. The higher turnout and subsequent results indicate growing dissatisfaction with the ANC. (2)
The ANC’s decline is particularly visible in the metropolitan centres. In Johannesburg, the nation’s commercial and financial hub, the DA secured 34.79% of the votes, against the ANC’s 20.25%. In Durban’s eThekwini municipality, the MK Party emerged as the largest party, ahead of the ANC. The DA retained its stronghold in Cape Town, securing 56.42% of the vote. (3)
The ANC’s historical contribution to ending apartheid has not been enough to shield it from growing public dissatisfaction, as the nation continues to battle unemployment, corruption, deteriorating infrastructure, and unreliable supplies of basic necessities like electricity and water. According to Statistics South Africa, the official unemployment rate stood at 33.7% in Q3 of 2026. The emergence of the MK Party has also complicated the political landscape by drawing support away from the ANC. (4)
The message is clear: historical credentials cannot indefinitely compensate for poor governance.
What South Africa’s Political Shift Means for India
India-South Africa bilateral trade stood at $18.01 billion in 2024-25, as per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with exports at $7.46 billion, while imports stood at $10.55 billion. The changing municipal political landscape could influence the business environment in major metropolitan cities, which require substantial investment in water infrastructure, electricity distribution, transport, waste management, and urban development. This could offer opportunities for Indian engineering, infrastructure, and technology companies. (5)
Critical Minerals: Strengthening India’s Supply Chain
South Africa has vast reserves of critical minerals essential to modern manufacturing, e-vehicles, clean energy and advanced technologies. India, meanwhile, is seeking to diversify its supply chains and reduce excessive dependence on concentrated sources of strategic raw materials, especially China. The political changes should encourage India to deepen engagement with provincial governments, municipalities and local businesses.
The Indian High Commission in Pretoria hosted the India-South Africa Critical Minerals Symposium in March 2026, bringing together mining companies, industry experts and academics from both countries. Indian delegates also participated in Mining Indaba 2026. These are important efforts towards diversifying India’s critical mineral sources. (5)
The Indian Diaspora: Preserving People-to-People Ties
India’s relationship with South Africa extends beyond trade and diplomacy into education, culture, and people-to-people connections, supported by a substantial Indian-origin community. A stable political and economic environment is important for the safety and prosperity of our diaspora and for Indian businesses operating in the country.
As South Africa enters a new coalition era, New Delhi must ensure that its engagement with Africa’s most industrialised economy remains rooted in trade, technology, critical minerals and strategic cooperation – irrespective of which political party occupies the mayor’s office or eventually leads the government.
In international relations, political landscapes undergo regular changes, but enduring national interests should remain the foundation of partnerships.
References:
- https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africas-anc-battered-by-local-election-losses-ahead-coalition-talks-2026-11-08/
- https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/iec-declares-lge-2026-free-and-fair
- ELECTIONS 2026 | Here are the FINAL results
- https://www.statssa.gov.za/?PPN=P0211&SCH=74512&page_id=1856
- India South Africa Relations | High Commission of India, Pretoria, South Africa
Niranjan Kadam G is a columnist and digital creator with a keen interest in India’s foreign policy, political science, and global affairs shaping India’s strategic and economic interests. His work focuses on analysing international developments, geopolitics, and their implications for India’s position in the evolving global order. The views expressed are the author’s own.
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