Ward 24 Elections: ANC Maintains Dominance, EFF Gains in Kruger National Park Area

Location: Ward 24 is nestled close to the Kruger National Park, situated northwest of Skukuza and west of the renowned Sabi Sands and Mala Mala game reserves. Part of the southern segment of the municipality, Bushbuckridge is not only the second-most populous municipality in Mpumalanga but also the 14th-most populous in South Africa. The broader region of Ehlanzeni includes Mbombela, the provincial capital, making it a critical area for political influence in the province.

2021 Local Government Elections

In the 2021 local government elections, the ANC performed slightly below its typical share in Bushbuckridge, receiving 62% of the vote. In contrast, the EFF saw a significant surge, capturing 19% of the vote. Notably, the EFF won one of the six voting districts—Cunningmoor (Tiyemeleni)—with a commanding 62%, against the ANC’s 36%. The ANC dominated the remaining five districts, particularly excelling in Legokgwe (Oakley), where it took 68% in the Oakley School district with the EFF securing only 29%. The ANC’s highest performance was in the Church of the Nazarene district, attracting 81% of the vote, while the EFF managed just 17%.

Post-Election Landscape

Despite retaining control of Bushbuckridge, winning 53 out of 76 available seats, the ANC saw a decline, losing four seats. The Bushbuckridge Residents Association (BRA), which previously served as the official opposition, was significantly weakened, losing eight of its ten seats. The EFF emerged as the new opposition with an increase from three to eight seats, while the Independent South African National Civic Organisation (Isanco) won five seats, placing it fourth in the municipality.

2024 Provincial Elections

The 2024 provincial elections saw the ANC improve its standing to 73% in Ward 24, a slight increase from its local government election performance but down from the 84% it secured in the 2019 election. The EFF’s support nearly doubled, rising from 10% to 19%, while the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party secured 4% of the vote.

Comparatively, the ANC’s performance in Ward 24 remained marginally below its broader Bushbuckridge share—76%—and slightly lower than its 2019 performance at 79%. Conversely, the EFF’s performance in Ward 24 outpaced its municipality-wide achievement, up from 13% in 2019 to 19% in 2024. MK’s fourth-place finish reflected the party’s struggle in the region, performing worst in the province in Mpumalanga with 3%, lagging behind the DA, which also attained 3%.

Provincial Election Overview

On a provincial scale, the ANC experienced a stark decline from 71% in 2021 to 51% in 2024. MK surged to second place with 17%, followed by the EFF with 14%, up from 13% in 2019. The Democratic Alliance (DA) secured fourth place, grabbing 10% of the vote, a slight increase from its 8% in 2019.

The By-Election

The by-election in Ward 24 was a straightforward affair, with only the ANC and EFF contesting for the position. The ANC retained the ward comfortably, defeating the EFF by a margin of 1,799 votes, reflecting a significant voter turnout. In Cunningmoor, the EFF continued to lead with 61% against the ANC’s 39%, mirroring its 2021 performance. Across Legokgwe, the ANC’s influence expanded further, particularly in the Church of the Nazarene district, where it achieved an overwhelming 96% compared to its 81% in 2021, while the EFF’s share slumped from 17% to 4%. At Oakley Primary School, the ANC’s victories grew from 68% to 85%, with the EFF’s support falling from 29% to 15%. The ANC’s dominance was evident in two additional Legokgwe districts, where it garnered more than 85% each.

The EFF expressed satisfaction with its consistent performance in Cunningmoor, maintaining a similar 61% showing from the 62% it achieved in the 2021 local government election. The ANC, while experiencing minor gains, reaffirmed its stronghold with slight improvements from 36% to 39%.

Future Elections

The next round of by-elections is set for 22 January, with the ANC defending two seemingly impregnable seats in the Eastern Cape. This upcoming event will further provide insight into the party’s stability in safe electoral regions.

In conclusion, the 2024 provincial election results in Ward 24 underscore the enduring political dynamics between the ANC and the EFF, particularly in regions adjacent to the Kruger National Park. While the ANC maintains its majority, the EFF’s increasing support highlights a growing political challenge in the municipality.

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