Political parties across South Africa have begun efforts to negotiate coalition agreements following the announcement of the 2026 Local Government Election results, with 136 municipalities failing to secure an outright majority.
Of the 29.2 million registered voters, approximately 14.9 million cast their ballots, representing a voter turnout of 52%.
The elections covered 213 councils, with 10 526 council seats contested by 520 political parties and 636 independent candidates.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) chairperson Mosotho Moepya announced the final results in Johannesburg on Sunday night, declaring the elections free and fair.
The African National Congress (ANC) emerged as the leading party nationally, securing 30.7% of the vote and 3 246 council seats.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) followed with 24.64% of the vote and 1 695 seats, while the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party secured 9.76% and 785 seats.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA were among the other parties that contested the elections.
Among the municipalities requiring coalition arrangements are eThekwini, Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Cape Town was the only metropolitan municipality where the DA secured an outright majority.
Meanwhile, the IEC says a revote will be held at a counting station in Douglas in the Northern Cape after ballot papers were destroyed by activists from a local political party.
The activists allegedly stormed the station last week and tore up ballot papers before counting could begin.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged political parties to ensure coalition negotiations are not reduced to battles over positions and political power.
Speaking at the national Results Operation Centre in Midrand on Sunday night, Ramaphosa said the stability and effective governance of municipalities should take precedence over narrow political interests.
He also commended the spirit of political tolerance demonstrated in KwaZulu-Natal during the elections.
The president highlighted scenes from Pietermaritzburg, where supporters of different political parties were seen singing and dancing together outside a voting station on election day.
Ramaphosa said the moment reflected the unity and shared identity of South Africans despite their political differences.
He encouraged newly elected councillors to maintain the same spirit of cooperation within municipal councils.
The president also praised the South African media for its coverage of the 2026 local government elections.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the MK Party emerged as the leading political party, followed by the ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
The elections marked the MK Party's first participation in a local government poll, with the party making significant gains in the eThekwini Metro.
It secured 38% of the vote in the metro, followed by the DA with 25% and the ANC with 16%.
MK Party First Deputy President Duduzane Zuma says the party has already begun informal discussions with like-minded political formations to explore coalition possibilities in municipalities where no party secured a majority.
Zuma says the party is looking to engage with progressive parties that support what he described as black unity.
He says bringing together the majority is essential for the country to move forward.
The coalition negotiations are expected to play a crucial role in determining the political leadership and governance of several municipalities across the country.