JOHANNESBURG - The ANC, IFP and MK Party are emerging as key contenders in Johannesburg's Ward 40, which includes Orlando West and parts of Meadowlands.
The ANC got 40% of the vote in 2021, and the IFP got 29%.
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According to eNCA MarkData, IFP support comes from the hostels in the area. Despite this, other parties like ActionSA have received marginal support, getting between 15 and 16% of the vote in the area.
eNCA Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman says an interesting development is that in 2024 the uMkhonto weSizwe Party came and shook things up.
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During that time, the ANC got 38% of the vote meanwhile, the MK Party got 30% of the vote.
The rise of MK Party has caused the IFP to lose some foot in the ward. This will cause them to try to claw back some of their support.
"The ward is ripe for the taking, but the ANC will leave no stone unturned in the three-horse race," says Sussman.
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Moving to the northwest of Johannesburg in Westdene, Westbury and Coronationville has the University of Johannesburg and a lot of students living in the area. In 2021, that caused a push for the Economic Freedom Fighters in the DA in the area where the DA got 30% of the vote.
The area has a history of low voter turnout, so parties will hope more people show up and vote in their favour.