The ANC comfortably retained both seats it was defending in Wednesday’s municipal by-elections, holding firm in Limpopo and narrowly ahead in Mpumalanga. In Fetakgomo Tubatse (Burgersfort), the party grew its share to 71%, up from 57% in 2021. In Govan Mbeki (Secunda), the ANC held on with 44% against the DA’s rising 27%. The results suggest the ANC’s rural base remains resilient, even as opposition parties continue to make gradual gains in more competitive urban and township wards.