THE ANC has welcomed its by-election victory in Ward 8 of the Knysna Local Municipality in the Western Cape.
The party called it "a reaffirmation of voter confidence" in its leadership and legacy.
This comes after municipal by-elections held on Wednesday, 25 June, across parts of the Western Cape and Gauteng.
ANC councillor Ndoda Aubrey Tsengwa was elected as the new councillor for Ward 8 in Knysna, with the ANC retaining the seat by securing 52,12% of the vote.
While this marks a decline from the 72,36% share the party received in the 2021 Local Government Elections, the ANC said the victory was an endorsement in a contested region.
Voter turnout in the ward stood at 51,05%.
ANC national spokeswoman Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri described the result as a proud affirmation of the people's trust.
"In a province where others believed they could erode our support, the people stood firm. This is more than a victory on the ballot. It is a demonstration that the ANC continues to inspire trust, even in contested spaces," she said.
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Bhengu-Motsiri praised efforts of ANC volunteers, activists, and local structures for their discipline and hard work during the campaign.
"We thank the activists, volunteers, disciplined members and structures of our movement whose efforts reaffirmed that the ANC remains deeply connected to the people it was born to serve."
She further stated that the victory reflects a clear choice by voters in favour of continuity, unity, and progress.
"Where others saw vulnerability, the people saw strength. Where others plotted disruption, the people affirmed continuity."
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the by-elections, the DA retained Ward 56 in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.
The party's candidate, Tiaan Dippenaar, won the seat with 80,02% of the vote, a significant increase from the 62,07% it received in 2021.
However, voter turnout was low at 12,16%.
In the Western Cape's Mossel Bay Municipality, the DA suffered a setback, losing Ward 9 to the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
The PA's Lu Hein Prins won the seat with 51,52% of the vote, up from 44,79% in 2021.
