In a significant turn of events, South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has experienced its worst-ever showing in local elections since Nelson Mandela led the country out of apartheid. The party won 31% of the overall vote, marking a drastic drop from its 46% share in the previous election and a stark contrast to the 65% it garnered two decades ago. This decline is evident not only nationally but also in provinces and cities, with the ANC winning a majority in just one province, Limpopo, compared to six in the last election. The Democratic Alliance (DA) came second overall with 25%, retaining control of the city of Cape Town, while former president Jacob Zuma's MK party unseated the ANC as winner in Durban. The Economic Freedom Fighters, led by Julius Malema, came fourth. Analysts attribute this decline to poor service delivery and infrastructure issues across the country, affecting ordinary people significantly. The elections also saw a shift in voting patterns, with the DA gaining more black votes. As the ANC prepares for a leadership change next year, analysts predict that it may become the second-largest party by 2029, signaling a new era in South Africa's politics. The next few days will see local coalition building, with the ANC potentially being shut out of cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria.