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South Africa held municipal elections on 4 November, with final tallies placing
South Africa held municipal elections on 4 November, with final tallies placing the African National Congress at roughly 31 percent of the vote — a historic low for the party in a local government contest. The Democratic Alliance took around 25 percent, while the uMkhonto we Sizwe party received close to ten percent. The ANC secured outright majorities in 53 municipalities but fell short in a number of major urban centres, raising the prospect of coalition negotiations in those cities. Around 14.9 million people voted. Party officials, analysts, and community organisations cited uneven service delivery, unemployment, and rising costs of living as factors shaping the outcome. South Africa's larger cities now face a period of coalition-building that will determine how local government functions in the years ahead. What issue matters most to you when you decide how to vote in a local election?