Louis Trichardt result: ANC keeps Makhado with 53 of 75 seats
The ANC has kept its majority in Makhado (Louis Trichardt) with 53 of 75 seats and 37 of 38 wards, with every voting district counted. The DA is second on 6 and the EFF has 5. The ANC's ward vote fell to 66.5% from 78.2%. Final results are due Sunday at 18:00.
The ANC has kept a big majority in Makhado, the municipality that includes Louis Trichardt. With all 208 voting districts counted, it has 53 of the 75 council seats, well above the 38 needed to govern alone (ESP).
It won 37 of the 38 wards, with the DA taking the other one. The ANC's share of the ward vote fell to 66.5% from 78.2% in 2021, according to IEC data on ESP.
Who won how many seats?
| Party | Ward seats | PR seats | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANC | 37 | 16 | 53 |
| DA | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| EFF | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| SACP | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| African People's Convention | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| ActionSA | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Afrika Mayibuye Movement | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Freedom Front Plus | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| International Revelation Congress | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| United Africans Transformation | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Sources: ESP (IEC data) and The People's Register.
Turnout was 48.0% of about 209,000 registered voters, with 98,718 valid ward votes (ESP).
How did the ward vote split?
| Party | Ward votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| ANC | 65,663 | 66.5% |
| DA | 7,416 | 7.5% |
| EFF | 5,567 | 5.6% |
| Independent candidates | 5,197 | 5.3% |
| Afrika Mayibuye Movement | 2,487 | 2.5% |
Source: ESP. No other party passed 2.5%, so the opposition is spread across many small parties.
What does an ANC majority mean for Makhado?
The ANC can elect the speaker and mayor and pass budgets without coalition partners. Nearby Thulamela and Greater Tzaneen also stayed with the ANC, while Polokwane is hung (Reported: Polokwane).
When will the new council sit?
The results are still provisional. The IEC plans to announce the final 2026 local election results at 18:00 on Sunday, 8 November (eNCA), and seat allocations can still change if objections are upheld (IOL).
After the declaration, the municipal manager must call the first council meeting within 14 days, where councillors elect a speaker and mayor (Municipal Structures Act).
How to check your ward result
Use the IEC's results dashboard and search for Makhado (LIM344). Ward-by-ward results are also on ESP and The People's Register. Only the IEC's declaration is final.
FAQ
Did the ANC win Makhado in the 2026 election?
Yes. With all 208 voting districts counted, the ANC has 53 of 75 seats, above the 38 needed for a majority. Results are provisional until the IEC declares them on Sunday 8 November at 18:00.
How many seats did each party win in Makhado?
ANC 53, DA 6, EFF 5, two each for the SACP, African People's Convention, ActionSA and Afrika Mayibuye Movement, and one each for the Freedom Front Plus, International Revelation Congress and United Africans Transformation.
How much support did the ANC lose in Makhado?
Its ward vote share fell from 78.2% in 2021 to 66.5% in 2026, according to IEC data shown on ESP.
When will Makhado elect a mayor?
After the IEC declares the result, the municipal manager must call the first council meeting within 14 days, where the speaker and mayor are elected.