JOHANNESBURG - The ANC is set to walk away from Mangaung with the largest share of the votes.
With the IEC’s live results currently at 37%, eNCA analysis projects that the organisation will secure between 33% and 37% of the Metro’s pie.
The DA is projected at between 30% and 34%. EFF is likely to come in third with between 8% and 10% of the vote.
eNCA Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman views this projection as a significant development showing a downward trajectory for the ANC.
“Mangaung is the birthplace of the African National Congress. They have never been below 50% of the seats, and according to the eNCA projection, they are well below that. And the Democratic Alliance, in probably their best performance, are trailing right behind," Sussman explained.
Reflecting on the 2024 general elections, Sussman said the Free State was an outlier for the Democratic Alliance, so growth in municipalities like Maluti-a-Phofung is noteworthy.
“They were a very strong, disciplined team of organisers there, and it seems like that has played a role. They were able to get their supporters out. They did well in some townships, and that is why they are trading neck and neck with the ANC.”