South African By-Elections: Patriotic Alliance and ActionSA Secure Key Victories, ANC Retains Wards

By-Election Results Announced Across South Africa

The results of recent municipal by-elections held across various South African provinces on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, have been announced, revealing notable victories for the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and ActionSA, alongside several retentions by the African National Congress (ANC). These outcomes signal shifting voter loyalties in both urban and rural strongholds.

Patriotic Alliance Secures Significant Wins

The Patriotic Alliance made significant inroads, capturing two key wards. In Johannesburg's Ward 29, which includes Diepkloof and Noordgesig, PA candidate Ismael Steenkamp emerged victorious, securing approximately 47% of the vote. This win saw the PA unseat the ANC, which garnered 27% of the vote. The victory was particularly strong in Noordgesig, where the PA achieved 75% and 64% in two voting districts. The ward became vacant following the death of the previous ANC councillor in July.

Further demonstrating its growing influence, the PA also secured a landslide victory in Ward 6 of the Swellendam Local Municipality in the Western Cape. Here, Julian Matthysen, a former ANC councillor who defected to the PA, won with 51% of the vote. This marks a substantial increase for the party, which had less than 1% support in the ward in 2021.

Additionally, in by-elections held on September 10, 2025, the PA's Betram Mornay Korkee won Ward 1 in the Kou-Kamma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape, a seat previously held by the ANC.

ActionSA Achieves Historic Breakthrough

ActionSA celebrated a historic win in Ward 7 of the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality in the North West province. Candidate Moses Moumakwa narrowly defeated the ANC by just two votes, securing 33.49% against the ANC's 33.4%. This victory represents ActionSA's first-ever seat in the North West and a significant breakthrough in what was considered an ANC stronghold. The ward was previously contested by the Forum for Service Delivery (F4SD), which merged with ActionSA earlier this year.

ANC Retains Multiple Wards

Despite losses in some areas, the African National Congress successfully retained several wards across the country in the recent by-elections. These include:

• Ward 15 in the AB Xuma Municipality (Eastern Cape)
• Ward 4 in the Langeberg Local Municipality (Western Cape)
• Ward 2 in the Musina Local Municipality (Limpopo)

The ANC also retained seats in earlier by-elections:

• Ward 130, City of Johannesburg (Gauteng), won by Nduduzo Mzolo on September 10, 2025.
• Ward 5, Bela-Bela Local Municipality (Limpopo), won by Malesela Michael Ramashala on September 10, 2025.
• Ward 7, Nala Local Municipality (Free State), won by Anna Manthoba Mohapi on September 10, 2025.
• Ward 6, King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality (Eastern Cape), won by Ntsikelelo Shadrack Mzalisi on August 20, 2025.
• Ward 3, Knysna Local Municipality (Western Cape), won by Lukhanyiso Nohana on August 20, 2025.
• Ward 23, Nelson Mandela Bay Local Municipality (Eastern Cape), won by Nomthandazo Nonkoliso Dyantyi on August 6, 2025.

These by-election results highlight the dynamic nature of South Africa's political landscape, with smaller parties making notable gains and challenging the dominance of established political entities in various municipalities.