ANC Faces Biggest Election Setback For 22 Years
President Jacob Zuma's ANC party is facing setbacks in municipal elections
South Africa's ruling ANC has lost control of the symbolic Nelson Mandela Bay as it faces its biggest election setback since taking power 22 years ago.
The area was won by the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) which had its roots as the anti-apartheid party of white liberals.
It is now run by its first black leader Mmusi Maimane, 36, who has predicted victory in the city of Tshwane.
The DA calls itself "the most diverse and dynamic party in South Africa" and claims it is "the only party with a credible, proven plan to create real jobs".
Nelson Mandela Bay was the African National Congress' first loss of a major black-majority municipality in local government elections as forecasters predict voters could turn away from the party in large numbers.
Mmusi Maimane is leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party
Final results are expected to be announced later on Saturday, with Johannesburg and Tshwane too close to call.
Neither the ANC or DA appeared to have a majority in those two areas that would allow it to govern alone, raising the possibility of coalition governments.
For a generation, the party of the country's first black president Mr Mandela has enjoyed widespread support following its successful fight against apartheid.
But it has been hit by corruption scandals swirling around current president Jacob Zuma, 74, and a stagnant economy which has frustrated the country's urban middle class.
Nelson Mandela was South Africa's first black president
The ANC said it would "reflect and introspect where our support has dropped".
