ANC under pressure to reverse South Africa decline
The African National Congress (ANC) faces significant electoral pressure in South Africa's local elections amid declining support. Voters are increasingly frustrated by corruption, unemployment, and poor service delivery, threatening the party's long-standing dominance.
Why it matters
The potential loss of support for the ANC signals a major shift in South African politics, reflecting public dissatisfaction with the post-apartheid governing party.
Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, More than 500 parties are contesting the elections
South Africans are voting in highly contested local elections likely to see a haemorrhaging of votes for the country's former ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC).
This year's voting season has been marked by intense campaigns that have included politicians spinning cars, watching grannies knit and even wading through giant-sized potholes.
Leaders are campaigning to head South Africa's nearly 300 municipalities, responsible for basic service provision such as water, electricity and refuse collection.
For the ANC, the elections are a chance to prove it still has what it takes to govern. The party had a disastrous showing in the last national election, when it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994 when the racist apartheid system ended.
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