ANC Retains Soweto’s Ward 130, but ActionSA Nearly Triples Securing Second Place

Soweto Ward 130 by-elections. (Maphala Lincoln)

by Mathipa Phishego

The African National Congress (ANC) has retained control of Ward 130 in Soweto, but the spotlight fell on ActionSA, which nearly tripled its support compared to previous results to establish itself as the second-biggest political party in the ward.

The ANC secured the overall ward victory, maintaining its traditional dominance in Soweto. However, ActionSA celebrated a strong performance, including an outright win in the eMseni Voting District, signaling shifting dynamics in one of the ruling party’s heartlands.

Mashaba welcomes growth ActionSA president Herman Mashaba hailed the results as a major milestone in the party’s growth trajectory.

Mashaba said, “nearly tripling our numbers in Ward 130 is a powerful statement from the people of Soweto. It shows that ActionSA is not only challenging the status quo but also proving to be a party for every South African  from the townships to the suburbs.”

While the ANC’s victory underscores its continued support base in Soweto, ActionSA’s performance is being viewed as a serious warning sign for the ruling party. Analysts point out that the ability of a relatively new party to secure second place and dominate in districts like eMseni highlights growing dissatisfaction with traditional political choices.

With this result, ActionSA has positioned itself as the leading opposition force in Ward 130 and is expected to use this momentum to expand its footprint across Gauteng and beyond ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Mashaba stated that thier growth here is not the end goal, but the beginning. “We are determined to build a South Africa where politics serves the people, not politicians,” added Mashaba.