The June–July 2026 Ipsos “Pulse of the People” polling data points to a highly fragmented, intensely competitive municipal election landscape with stark regional variations:
- The ANC-DA Battlegrounds: In major metropolitan areas like Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Buffalo City, the ANC and DA are locked in tight, highly competitive races. While the ANC edges ahead narrowly in places like Johannesburg, the DA is making strong plays—particularly in Tshwane, where it leads polling at 31%.
- Strongholds and Regional Shifts: Cape Town remains an unyielding stronghold for the DA (polling at 46%). Conversely, the political dynamics in KwaZulu-Natal are being fundamentally reshaped: the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party dominates eThekwini with an overwhelming 55% majority-level support, firmly establishing itself as a dominant regional force.
- Third-Tier Parties: Smaller parties continue to carve out localized niches rather than broad national footprints. The EFF shows localized strength (such as peaking at 27% in Buffalo City), while ActionSA maintains its core visibility primarily across Gauteng metros.
Ultimately, the data suggests that no single party holds a universal narrative, and the outcome of the November local government elections will heavily hinge on local campaign mobilization and voter turnout in tightly contested urban battlegrounds.