South Africans vote in local elections in test for ANC

South Africans began voting Wednesday in municipal elections that could lead to fresh losses for the African National Congress (ANC). The party of Nelson Mandela , which has led the country since the end of apartheid , has seen its popularity fall over the past decade. In the previous local elections in 2021, it won less than 50% of the vote for the first time, and polls suggest it could drop below 40% this time. Wednesday's vote is taking place amid rising frustration over failing public services, including unreliable water and electricity supplies, high crime rates , unemployment, and affordable housing. Concerns about undocumented migration also featured prominently in some campaigns.