Next South African general election

The next South African general election will be held by 2029 to elect a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each province of South Africa. They will be the eighth elections held under the conditions of universal adult suffrage since the end of the apartheid era in 1994.

Next South African general election

← 2024 By 2029
All 400 seats to the National Assembly 201 seats needed for a majority
Leader Cyril Ramaphosa John Steenhuisen Jacob Zuma Party ANC DA MK Last election 40.18%, 159 seats 21.81%, 87 seats 14.58%, 58 seats   Leader Julius Malema Velenkosini Hlabisa Gayton McKenzie Party EFF IFP PA Last election 9.52%, 39 seats 3.85%, 17 seats 2.06%, 9 seats
Incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa Government of National Unity

Date

The South African Constitution mandates that national and provincial general elections must be held at least once every five years. Specifically, the elections must take place within 90 days of the date the National Assembly's five-year term expires or is dissolved. The most recent general election was held on 29 May 2024. This means the next general election for the National Assembly and provincial legislatures is constitutionally due to occur by mid-2029.^[1]

Electoral system

The electoral system used in the 2029 election is expected to change based on the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel.^[2]

Opinion polls

Polling Organisation	Fieldwork Date	Sample Size	ANC	DA	MK	EFF	IFP	Others	Don't Know[a]	Lead
Social Research Foundation[3]	27 October - 14 November 2025	1,002	37%	32%	8%	7%	6%	—N/a	—N/a	5
Social Research Foundation[4]	June 2025	—N/a	40%	26%	18%	3%	3%	—N/a	—N/a	14
IRR[5]	March - April 2025	807	29.7%	30.3%	15.9%	10.2%	1.7%			0.6
Social Research Foundation[4]	February 2025	—N/a	32%	25%	12%	6%	3%	—N/a	—N/a	7
IRR[5]	September - October 2024		41.3%	22.3%	11.6%	6.9%	5.5%			19
Social Research Foundation[4]	September 2024	—N/a	45%	24%	12%	6%	5%	—N/a	—N/a	21
2024 general election	29 May 2024	—N/a	40.2%	21.8%	14.6%	9.5%	3.9%	10.0%	—N/a	18.4

Notes

1. Includes abstention and no answer responses