The 2026 national election results have shifted the political landscape dramatically, both nationally and locally.
Three local municipalities, namely Umuziwabantu (Harding), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma (Underberg) and Umzimkhulu local municipalities had no party win a majority, meaning coalitions will have to be formed to govern these municipalities.
In the Umuziwabantu Local Municipality, the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party has the most seats, 8 of 21 as well as 5 wards with 18 436 votes. The ANC won 7 seats and 6 wards with 17 781 votes, while the Inkatha Freedom Party won 4 seats with 10 462 votes. The Democratic Alliance won 1 seat with 1 706 votes and the Economic Freedom Fighters won one seat with 1 415 votes. The overall voter turnout was 51.11% compared to 54.58% in 2021.
In the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Local Municipality (Underberg), the MK Party has the most seats, 12 of 29 as well as 9 wards with 27 750 votes. The ANC won 11 seats and 5 wards with 25 229 votes while the IFP won 3 seats and 1 ward with 7 910 votes. The DA won 2 seats and 1 ward with 5 718 votes while the EFF won 1 seat with 1 453 votes. The overall voter turnout was 57.20% turnout compared to 55.48% in 2021.
In the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality, the ANC has the most seats, 21 of 43 and 21 wards with 50 597 votes. MK won 15 seats and 1 ward with 34 583 votes, while the IFP won 2 seats with 4 132 votes. The South African Communist Party won 2 seats with 4 599 votes, while the EFF won 2 seats with 3 594 votes and the DA won 1 seat with 2 294 votes. The overall voter turnout was 52.90% compared to 49.88% in 2021.
In the Johannes Phumani Phungula Local Municipality (Ixopo) the MK Party won the majority with 14 of 27 seats and 14 wards with 33 141 votes. The ANC won 8 seats with 20 460 votes, while the IFP won 3 seats with 7 982 votes. The DA won 1 seat with 2 562 votes and the EFF won 1 seat with 1 612 votes. The overall voter turnout was 56.92% turnout compared to 52.78% in 2021.
In the Greater Kokstad, Matateiel, Umzimvubu, (Mt Ayliff/Mt Frere), Ntabankulu, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Elundini (Maclear, Ugie, Mt Fletcher) the ANC maintained their overall majority.
In the Greater Kokstad Municipality, the ANC won 11 of 21 seats and 11 wards with 23 472 votes while the MK party won 4 seats with 10 939 votes. The DA won 2 seats with 6 047 votes, while the EFF won 2 seats with 3 786 votes. The African Transformation Movement won 1 seat with 925 votes while the Patriotic Alliance won 1 seat with 1 233 votes. The overall voter turnout was 52.04% compared to 47.23% in 2021.
In the Matatiele Local Municipality, the ANC won 30 of 52 seats and 26 wards with 57 816 votes while the DA won 6 seats with 10 775 votes. South African Communist Party won 5 seats with 10 456 votes while the EFF won 4 seats with 7 056 votes. The Mk party won 3 seats with 5 958 votes while the African Transformation Movement won 2 seats with 2 980 votes and the African Independent Congress won 1 seat with 2 580 votes and the African Christian Democratic Party won 1 seat with 948 votes. The overall voter turnout was 48.95% compared to 52.28% in 2021.
In the Umzimvubu Local Municipality (Mt Ayliff/Mt Frere) the ANC won a majority, 34 of 55 seats and 27 wards with the DA winning 1 wards and 5 seats with 9 404 votes. The SACP won 5 seats with 8 653 votes, while the African Transformation Movement won 3 seats with 4 531 votes. The EFF won 3 seats with 5 238 votes, while the African Independent Congress won 2 seats with 3 260 votes. The MK party won 2 seats with 3 619 votes, while the Izwi Labahlali Beward won 1 seat with 1 327 votes. The total voter turnout was 43.81% compared to 47.04% in 2021.
In the Ntabankulu Local Municipality, the ANC won a majority, 28 of 38 seats and 19 wards with 45 899 votes. The EFF won 3 seats with 5 525 votes, while the ATM won 2 seats with 2 444 votes. The SACP won 2 seats with 2 904 votes, while the DA won 2 seats with 3 018 votes and the MK party won 1 seat with 1 978 votes. The overall voter turnout was 40.96% compared to 48.26% in 2021.
In the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality (Bizana) the ANC won a majority, 36 of 64 seats and 32 wards with 75 198 votes. The SACP won 7 seats with 14 159 votes, while the ATM won 5 seats with 11 264 votes and the MK party won 5 seats with 11 015 votes. The EFF won 4 seats with 7 722 votes, while the IFP won 2 seats with 4 694 votes and the DA 2 seats with 3 815 votes. The African Independent Congress won 1 seat with 2 086 votes, while the Masigoduke Peoples Society won 1 seat with 1 053 votes and the Civic Independent party won 1 seat with 752 votes. The overall voter turnout was 45.29% compared to 46.68% in 2021.
In Elundini Local Municipality (Nqanqarhu (formerly Maclear), Tlokoeng (Mount Fletcher), and Ugie) the ANC won a majority, 18 of 34 seats and 15 wards with 30 832 votes. The SACP won 2 wards and 5 seats with 9 118 votes while the UDM won 3 seats with 4 184 votes. The Mount Fletcher Community Voice party won 2 seats with 3 936 votes, while the DA won 2 seats with 2 880 votes and the ATM won 2 Seats with 3 413 votes. The EFF won 1 seat with 1 858 votes and the African Independent Congress won 1 seat with 1 141 votes. The overall voter turnout was 45.85% compared to 47.85% in 2021.
- KZN Finance MEC, Francoise Rodgers casting his vote at the Ext 7 voting station on 4 November 2026.
- 2-8. Various parties represented during the 2026 national elections.
