ANC admits disappointment after poor Cape Town election showing

The ANC in the Western Cape will have to reassess its election strategy after a disappointing result in the 2026 local government elections. Jerimia Thuynsma, the party’s proposed Cape Town mayoral candidate, said the ANC had expected to do better as provincial vote counting reached 80% around midday on Friday. He partly blamed the poor showing on low turnout among ANC supporters in the metro, describing their absence from polling stations as a vote of no confidence. The party plans to rebuild ties with communities and is considering monthly feedback meetings between ward councillors and residents.