South Africa's African National Congress (ANC), the party once led by Nelson Mandela, has suffered its worst-ever election result. Its share of the vote fell to just 30.76% in the country's 2026 municipal elections, down from 45.59% in 2021. The ANC has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, but its support has declined amid corruption scandals, unemployment and widespread frustration over failing public services, including water and electricity.