The DA has won Tshwane, what we used to call Pretoria. It’s a spectacular and important win for the party because it’s the seat of the President, the administrative capital of South Africa.
The Tshwane election results are as follows:

DA 43% (2011 – 38.7%)
ANC 41% (2011 – 55.3%)
EFF 12% (newcomer)
VF PLUS 2% (2011 – 1.7%)
Other 1%

Comparing to the 2011 elections, COPE and the ACDP have imploded. The VF+ has strengthened slightly. The DA gained 4% more which must surely be the result of gaining black votes. The EFF must take more credit than any other for damaging the ANC – it’s 12% is an extreme warning of dissatisfaction by poorer people.

But the DA only has a mathematical win. The EFF is the kingmaker. Will they prove to be the estranged children looking for the love of the ANC they left or will they enter into a conflicting ideology relationship with the DA?

In Nelson Mandela Bay, the DA is also forced to look for coalition partners but seems to be snubbing the EFF, instead negotiating with the UDM and others. It will be interesting to discover if the EFF uses it’s leverage for nationwide gain.

In Johannesburg, vote counting is 90% complete. The ANC leads the DA by a slim 1%. The EFF, again, will be the deciding factor.