# Four polls show ANC losing ground to DA ahead of local elections

> National surveys reveal the ANC has fallen at least six points since 2024, while the DA has grown by at least three, but the picture masks sharp urban decline.
- Title: Four polls show ANC losing ground to DA ahead of local…
- Summary: National surveys reveal the ANC has fallen at least six points since 2024, while the DA has grown by at least three, but the picture masks sharp urban…
- Keywords: anc, south africa, local elections 2026, polling, gauteng, mk party, eff, news, politics, Four, polls, show
- Source: Daily Maverick — https://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-20-four-national-polls-show-anc-decline-da-growth-and-mk-drift
- Author: Paul Berkowitz
- Published: 2026-10-20T21:03:49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: anc, da, south africa, local elections 2026, polling, gauteng, mk party, eff, news, politics
## Four polls track party support
The Common Sense/Social Research Foundation released a poll in August. Ipsos released one in early September. News twenty-four/Sabi released one in early October. A second TCS/SRF poll came in mid-October.
## ANC falls, DA rises across all surveys
Compared with its forty point two percent share in the twenty twenty-four national election, the ANC has fallen by at least six percentage points.The DA has grown by at least three points.
## National polls mask urban decline
National polls check the national pulse but blur the ANC's decline across urban South Africa, particularly in Gauteng.Smaller parties like the IFP, FF+ and ActionSA have outsized effects in the metros that national figures obscure.
## ANC's urban rejection shapes metro contests
The ANC's increasing rejection by urban voters means its declining national share is still greater than what it can hope for in the metros.
## Key takeaway

Four national polls show the ANC declining by at least six percentage points from its forty point two percent in the twenty twenty-four election, while the DA grows by at least three points.