ANC election’s head, Mdumiseni Ntuli, admitted that the ANC had underestimated its historical support in Mpumalanga, as reported by News24. The party secured 50.81% of the vote by Friday night, maintaining its majority in the province. However, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party emerged as the official opposition. The ANC’s oversight in prioritizing KwaZulu-Natal allowed the MKP to gain ground in Mpumalanga, a region where the ANC traditionally held strong support.
The support for the MK Party in Mpumalanga grew after former president Jacob Zuma campaigned for them, leading to a significant decrease in ANC’s support from 72.23% in 2019 to a projected 52%. The MK Party’s rise was fueled by dissatisfaction with governance, unemployment, and other issues.
While Ntuli remains confident in the ANC forming the government in Mpumalanga, political analysts suggest that the decreased stronghold in Mpumalanga poses a challenge for the ANC in maintaining its grip on certain provinces.