JOHANNESBURG - With just a few hours to go before election day, the country's metros are under the spotlight.
In Ekurhuleni, ongoing water challenges and other service delivery concerns are among the issues the community is facing.
The latest eNCA MarkData poll shows both the ANC and DA stand a chance of winning the municipality: 31,2% of respondents said they will vote for the DA, while 29,4% chose the ANC.
But other movements could shape control of the metro, including local government election newcomers, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).
READ | eNCA MarkData | eThekwini election projections point to major political shift
eNCA Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman believes areas like Katlehong could have a say.
In 2021, the ANC won almost 50% of the vote in ward 52, while the IFP came second with 19%.
Sussman cites hostel communities as the driving force behind this IFP performance.
The political landscape shifted in the 2024 general elections when the MK Party emerged, securing 26% of the vote, while the ANC dropped to 38%.
“Tomorrow, we are going to be watching wards like this to see if uMkhonto weSizwe can create history and win wards off the ANC in townships like Katlehong,” he said.
The Brakpan area was also not left behind as Sussman dissected the political landscape in Ekurhuleni.
“There are about five roadhouses there. This is the area where the Freedom Front Plus did the best in Ekurhuleni in 2021. The DA got over 60% of the vote, and the Freedom Front 17%.”
“The Freedom Front scored quite well in the eNCA MarkData poll. And we watch in wards like this, because generally, the ANC has to keep parties like uMkhonto weSizwe, EFF and, to some extent, the IFP, at bay. The DA has to deal with parties like the Freedom Front Plus and the PA,” he explained.
READ | 'Sitting back and not voting is a dereliction of our responsibilities' - Ramaphosa