Wayne Sussman: “Stand-out” by-election night for the ANC - and a new leader emerges…

The African National Congress (ANC) had a strong by-election night last night. In this interview with BizNews, Election Analyst Wayne Sussman says it was “either their second-best night or you could say equal their best night since 2024.” In Soweto, they had “resolute” support - despite uMkhonto weSizwe’s (MKP) Floyd Shivambo and Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) campaigning there. The ANC also had “solid” support in the uMgungundlovu district, (the second most populous district in KwaZulu-Natal) where, in 2024, MKP won 50% of the vote. And the ANC withstood an onslaught from the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and the Namakwa Civic Movement to clock up another win in the Northern Cape, where - since the 2024 election - it has won four wards off opposition parties. Sussman identifies Premier Zamani Saul as a possible future party leader. “If I…was the ANC, I would look strongly, not just at him for a leader at the next National Elective Congress, but also someone who's clearly doing something right…” As for the Democratic Alliance (DA) holding on to a ward Stellenbosch, he notes the 7% voter turn-out and points out that “they have some work to do”. Sussman also shares his take on the most competitive races in the next round of by-elections on May 28.

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