Thohoyandou result: ANC keeps Thulamela with 56 of 81 seats
The ANC has kept its majority in Thulamela (Thohoyandou), winning all 41 wards and 56 of 81 seats with every voting district counted. Its ward vote fell to 68.5% from 83.1% in 2021. Final results are due Sunday at 18:00.
The ANC has kept its outright majority in Thulamela, the municipality that includes Thohoyandou. With all 271 voting districts counted, it has 56 of the 81 council seats, well above the 41 needed to govern alone (ESP; The People's Register).
It also won all 41 wards. Its share of the ward vote did drop sharply, to 68.5% from 83.1% in 2021, according to IEC data on ESP. That still leaves it far ahead of every other party.
Who won how many seats?
| Party | Ward seats | PR seats | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANC | 41 | 15 | 56 |
| EFF | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| SACP | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| International Revelation Congress | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| DA | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Economic Liberators Forum SA | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| United People | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| PAC | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Afrika Mayibuye Movement | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ethical Leaders Movement | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Source: The People's Register, using the IEC's seat allocation. Counted shows the same seat totals.
Turnout was 44.2% of about 261,000 registered voters, with 113,598 valid ward votes (ESP).
Where did the ANC's lost votes go?
No single party picked them up. On the ward ballot the EFF got 5.8%, the International Revelation Congress 5.7%, the SACP 4.7%, the DA 3.8%, the Economic Liberators Forum 3.4% and United People 2.5% (ESP). The SACP won four PR seats.
Why is Thulamela different from Polokwane?
Several big Limpopo councils are now hung, including Polokwane, where the ANC fell to 37 of 90 seats (Reported). In Thulamela the opposition vote is split across many small parties, so the ANC's 68.5% still converts into a large majority.
When will Thulamela's 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). With a majority, the ANC does not need coalition partners for those votes.
How to check your ward result
Use the IEC's results dashboard and search for Thulamela (LIM343). 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 Thulamela in the 2026 election?
Yes. With all 271 voting districts counted, the ANC has 56 of 81 seats, above the 41 needed for a majority, and it won all 41 wards. Results are provisional until the IEC declares them on Sunday 8 November at 18:00.
How many seats did each party win in Thulamela?
ANC 56, EFF 5, SACP 4, International Revelation Congress 4, DA 3, Economic Liberators Forum SA 3, United People 3, and one each for the PAC, Afrika Mayibuye Movement and Ethical Leaders Movement.
How much support did the ANC lose in Thulamela?
Its ward vote share fell from 83.1% in 2021 to 68.5% in 2026, according to IEC data shown on ESP.
When will Thulamela 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.