JOHANNESBURG - With only a few hours left before the 2026 local government elections close, eNCA Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman turned his attention to three key wards in eThekwini
According to Sussman, the results in Ward 26 near Durban city centre, Ward 86 in the Umlazi area and Ward 99 in the Umkomaas, Magabeni area could offer a picture of how political support has shifted since the 2021 local government elections.
He says the three wards are particularly interesting given the emergence of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party during the 2024 general elections.
First, he looked at Ward 26, which he describes as a closely contested inner-city ward.
Sussman notes that in 2021, just a few votes separated the ANC and DA in this ward.
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However, since the emergence of the MK Party, support has shifted significantly, with the Jacob Zuma-led MK Party leading.
He says the result makes him wonder whether the MK Party will pick up this ward.
“Can the ANC recover support and retain the ward, or will the Democratic Alliance come in here and win? This is going to be a fascinating contest to watch in the heart of Durban tonight,” he questions.
Turning to Ward 86, long an ANC stronghold, Sussman notes that in 2021 the ANC led and was tailed by EFF and IFP
But by 2024, the MK Party rattled the ground once again.