(File photo: Emmanuel Croset/AFP)
As South Africa prepares for the local government elections, which by law must take place between November 2 this year and January 31 next year, new research by Ipsos paints a dark picture of a nation that feels politically alienated. Almost half of the population feels that there is currently no political home for them, even though there are more than 500 parties registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
According to the latest findings of the Ipsos Khayabus “Pulse of the People” study, 47% of South Africans say that no political party represents their views.
This study, conducted twice a year through face-to-face interviews with 3,600 randomly selected South Africans, is representative of the adult population and was completed between December 2025 and January 2026.
Struggle between disillusionment and determination
Mari Harris, a political analyst at Ipsos in South Africa, believes that the current mood is one of contradiction.
“South Africans are caught between disillusionment and determination. Almost half feel that no party represents them, yet the majority still want to exercise their democratic right. This tension will define the upcoming local government elections.”
Although the discontent is widespread, there still seems to be some democratic hope. About six in ten eligible voters (61%) say they look forward to voting. This is happening in the midst of a situation where only 38% of citizens believe that their local governments or municipalities are doing their job well.
However, the data also shows a worrying lack of interest, with 38% of eligible voters saying they are not at all interested in politics or elections. In addition, the IEC faces a serious crisis of confidence among young voters, as 40% of those aged 18 to 34 say they do not trust the institution.
(Graphic: Ipsos)
Paradox of too many choices
It may seem like an apparent contradiction that 47% of South Africans feel they have no political home, given the hundreds of parties they can choose from. According to Harris, this abundance contributes precisely to the confusion and alienation.
“Too many parties with conflicting messages, which only seek to win voters’ support, can create confusion rather than clarity. Almost half (47%) of South Africans say that parties with less than 1% national support should not be included in parliament, showing the extent of the discontent.”
According to Harris, the same dynamics that affect national politics appear to affect local government as well. Small parties can pull the strings as “kingmakers” without necessarily contributing to stable management in the municipality, which often affects the quality of service delivery.
Despite the muted interest in politics, 73% of eligible voters say they are indeed registered to vote. Harris cautions, however, that registration does not automatically mean people will show up at the polls. She believes the trend of voter alienation is getting stronger since the 2016 election.
“When one looks at the share of eligible voters who actually participate in elections, the numbers are sobering. The responsibility for voter education and motivation to register to vote cannot lie solely with the IEC. Concerned citizens, community and civic organizations as well as political parties all have a duty to encourage participation,” she says.
About two-thirds of eligible voters say they intend to take part in the local government elections. A total of 46% say they want to vote, of whom 21% indicate this as “definite” and 43% simply say they “want” to vote. Furthermore, 67% say that they are likely to vote, and 66% emphasize that participation in the local elections is “personally important” to them.
(Graphic: Ipsos)
However, confidence in the IEC is divided, and the data clearly show where the biggest bottlenecks lie. Young voters are the most skeptical: 40% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 42% of 25- to 34-year-olds say it is “unlikely” that they will trust the IEC. There are also provincial differences, with the highest levels of mistrust in KwaZulu-Natal (58%), the Northern Cape (52%), North-West (42%) and Limpopo (42%).
Harris emphasizes that these figures provide a clear guideline for where interventions are needed.
“These findings point to clear priorities for voter education. Young people in certain provinces need targeted engagement if we are to see improved participation and build confidence in the electoral process.”
Who is currently attracting the most support?
To ensure that respondents could answer honestly, Ipsos used a confidential digital “ballot”. The results show that the ANC still enjoys the most support among registered voters for local government with 38%, followed by the DA on 22%. The MKP takes third place with 14%, followed by the EFF on 12%, placing them close to each other. ActionSA received 4% of the vote, while the IFP and PA each received 3%. The FF Plus stands at 2% and is the last party with more than 1% support.
“The picture for local government shows a competitive landscape. While the ANC maintains its lead, the combined opposition vote suggests that many municipalities may experience coalition negotiations after the election,” predicts Harris.
(Graphic: Ipsos)
Appetite for collaboration
Although there are mixed feelings about the government of national unity (GNU) – where only 43% think it works well – support for cooperation at the local level is remarkably high. Some 63% of South Africans believe that political parties should work together in municipalities, while only 22% are against it.
Harris says voters are apparently ready for a new way of governing.
“Regardless of how South Africans feel about the RNE nationally, the appetite for collaboration at the local government level is clear. South Africa is a complex country, and many citizens realize that parties must work together to deliver services efficiently.
“The upcoming election may very well yield more coalition-run municipalities, and voters seem to be ready for that.”
Although the exact date is not yet known, the IEC reminds citizens that they can register at any time online or at their nearest office. As soon as the official date is announced, the electoral roll closes immediately.
(Graphic: Ipsos)
