World
South Africans vote in local elections seen as test for embattled ANC
South Africans voted on Wednesday in local elections widely viewed as a referendum on the governing African National Congress, with polls suggesting the party could fall below 40 percent support. A record 29.2 million voters are registered across 23,696 stations to elect councils in eight metropolitan municipalities, 44 district councils and 205 local councils, which then choose mayors. The ANC, which lost its parliamentary majority in 2024 and governs in coalition, faces pressures over failing municipal services, with results expected Sunday and likely to shape the race to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa as party leader.