The fall of the ANC: how Mandela’s party slid to its worst-ever result | Explained

African National Congress supporters, one holding a portrait of Nelson Mandela, at the Mose Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, in 2024. File | Photo Credit: AP The story so far: Two years after it was forced to lead a coalition government for the first time since the end of apartheid, the African National Congress (ANC) has suffered its worst election result ever, winning just 30.76% of the vote in local body polls held across South Africa this week.The party that led the anti-apartheid struggle, took charge of a new society under Nelson Mandela and dominated national politics for nearly three decades is now in freefall, hobbled by corruption allegations and factionalism, and losing supporters at every election. Published - November 10, 2026 09:22 am IST