Picture: ANC’s top leadership in North West/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
9 November 2026 – The African National Congress (ANC) in North West said it welcomes the results of the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGEs) officially declared by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Sunday. The former liberation movement said these were highly contested elections, marked by a rise in the number of political parties and the participation of many independent candidates.
The ANC received 44.1% of the combined ward and PR vote across the province. The ANC said the results show stronger performances in Kagisano-Molopo (63.6%), Moretele (56.5%), Tswaing (56.5%), Ratlou (55.8%), Maquassi Hills (54.2%) and Moses Kotane (50.6%).
The ANC provincial secretary, Louis Diremelo said in priority municipalities, the ANC remained the leading party, with 41.5% in Madibeng, 33.2% in JB Marks, 41.2% in Matlosana, 38.2% in Rustenburg and 44.3% in Mahikeng. Diremelo said this contributed to the fragmentation of votes across the province and affected the allocation of proportional representation (PR) seats in a number of municipalities.
“These outcomes reflect the fragmentation of votes among a growing number of parties and candidates. The ANC remains the largest political party in the North West and the leading party in all 18 local municipalities. The results also reaffirm the close relationship between communities and their ward councillors. The ANC won approximately 86% of ward seats across the province, demonstrating the importance of candidates who are directly accountable to communities.
“The ANC remains dissatisfied with the IEC’s handling of certain objections concerning PR seat allocations. Objections were submitted in several municipalities where seat allocations affected the ANC’s representation. We note that some objections in JB Marks were corrected, resulting in a PR seat being allocated to the ANC,” he said.
Diremelo further said they will continue to pursue outstanding matters through the appropriate processes. He added that the election results signal an era of coalition governance in parts of the province.
“The ANC’s National Headquarters has established a team of National Executive Committee (NEC) members to lead coalition discussions. The province will guide this work in the North West, ensuring that the team is informed by provincial dynamics and the circumstances of each municipality.
“Any coalition arrangements must be based on fundamental, service delivery-driven objectives and the needs of communities, rather than the pursuit of positions. The ANC is committed to accelerating service delivery and addressing the concerns raised by communities,” said Diremelo.
He said they will strengthen the organisation and deal with internal stagnation and conduct that weakens the movement from within. Diremelo said they will intensify the fight against infrastructure decay and work to ensure that communities see tangible improvements in their daily lives.
He said they remain committed to fighting unemployment in the North West, and the province’s mineral wealth must play a far greater role in creating jobs and developing local communities. According to Diremelo, they will continue to call for mineral resources to become a shared mandate with provinces, giving the North West a meaningful say in how its resources are beneficiated.
“Under the current arrangement, provinces have very little influence over beneficiation in the mines or over the direction and implementation of Social and Labour Plans (SLPs). This limits the province’s ability to ensure that mining activity responds to local priorities.
“Most mining houses operating in the North West are based in Gauteng and their vehicle fleets are registered and renew their licences there. As a result, revenue that could contribute to maintaining North West’s roads is directed elsewhere, while heavy mining vehicles continue to use and place pressure on our roads,” he said.
Diremelo said the ANC’s renewal project must now be intensified across the province. He said they will work to remove “sleepers” who hold the organisation back, strengthen accountability and ensure that those entrusted with responsibility perform their duties.
“Administrators and officials who deliberately neglect their work and undermine service delivery must be held accountable through the appropriate processes. The people of the North West deserve an organisation and public administration that serve them with discipline, commitment and integrity.
“We thank the people of the North West for participating in the elections. We also extend our appreciation to ANC volunteers, supporters and workers who campaigned across the province. We are committed to renewing the organisation and accelerating service delivery in response to the concerns communities have raised,” said Diremelo.
He said the work towards the 2029 elections starts now. Diremelo said they will listen to communities and earn their confidence through responsive leadership and improved delivery.
