The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has officially published the names of all 100 councillors elected to Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, as political parties continue negotiations over who will govern the metro following the ANC’s loss of its outright majority.
The councillors’ names were published in Government Gazette 55741 on Friday, 13 November 2026, following the local government elections held on 4 November.
The official list confirms the names of all 50 ward councillors and 50 proportional representation (PR) councillors who will serve in the newly elected council.
The ANC remains the largest party with 42 seats, down from 61 in the 2021 municipal elections. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) recorded significant gains, increasing its representation from just one councillor to 19, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) secured 17 seats.
With 51 seats required for an outright majority, no political party can govern the metro alone.
Full List of Buffalo City’s 50 Ward Councillors
The following councillors were elected to represent Buffalo City’s 50 wards:
- Ward 1: Tandiswa Goniwe (ANC)
- Ward 2: Zwelikhanyile Akhona Dywili (ANC)
- Ward 3: Siwakhe Ndabambi (UDM)
- Ward 4: Lemarc Allister Stewart (DA)
- Ward 5: Steven Mbeko Nobatyi (UDM)
- Ward 6: Bradley Russel Whittington (ANC)
- Ward 7: Mkakutta Clara Yekiso-Morolong (ANC)
- Ward 8: Kwanele Majeke (ANC)
- Ward 9: Mendi Wetsetse (ANC)
- Ward 10: Ndyebo Lennox Makeleni (ANC)
- Ward 11: Sakhumzi Welcome Caga (ANC)
- Ward 12: Nolundi Mdledle (ANC)
- Ward 13: Zwelixolile Nkohla (ANC)
- Ward 14: Lukhanyo Ndubane (ANC)
- Ward 15: Songezo Nkungwini (EFF)
- Ward 16: Lungani Sanqela (DA)
- Ward 17: Pumla George (ANC)
- Ward 18: Jason Scott Mc Dowell (DA)
- Ward 19: Lucille Benfield (DA)
- Ward 20: Nomonde Patricia Rusi (ANC)
- Ward 21: Nkosinathi Mndi (ANC)
- Ward 22: Sandile Mqwashini (ANC)
- Ward 23: Simbongile Sidwell Gulwa (ANC)
- Ward 24: Melisizwe Tutu (ANC)
- Ward 25: Cynthia Mxabanisi-Gakrishe (ANC)
- Ward 26: Sowana Somgadi (ANC)
- Ward 27: Mncekeleli Professor Molose (UDM)
- Ward 28: Lindsey Pollock (DA)
- Ward 29: Valerie Dawn Knoetze (DA)
- Ward 30: Nontyilelo Whittington (ANC)
- Ward 31: Bonisani Bangani (ANC)
- Ward 32: Thembinkosi Sobende (ANC)
- Ward 33: Batini Sidwell Booi (ANC)
- Ward 34: Mayihlome Mcako (ANC)
- Ward 35: Sikhululwe Melane (ANC)
- Ward 36: Luzuko Ntshintshi (ANC)
- Ward 37: Ntombekhaya Muriel Ntshebe (ANC)
- Ward 38: Litha Mkupa (ANC)
- Ward 39: Odwa Sheshegu (ANC)
- Ward 40: Kholiwe Thelma Faku (ANC)
- Ward 41: Siyabonga Luyolo Sizani (SACP)
- Ward 42: Phakamile Bamla (ANC)
- Ward 43: Mihlalikazi Mapisa (ANC)
- Ward 44: Mwezi Daniso (ANC)
- Ward 45: Lihle Shushu (ANC)
- Ward 46: Mlingane Nxazonke (ANC)
- Ward 47: Tsepo Mohapi (EFF)
- Ward 48: Sinethemba Melude (ANC)
- Ward 49: Malibongwe Ketyana (ANC)
- Ward 50: Nozuko Jacqueline Balawuthi-Matyila (ANC)
Full List of Buffalo City’s 50 PR Councillors
Proportional representation councillors are elected through political party lists and serve on the municipal council alongside ward councillors.
The following 50 PR councillors have been confirmed in the Government Gazette.
African National Congress (ANC) – 4 PR Councillors
- Princess Faku
- Yomelela Tyali
- Bongiwe Sauli
- Malibongwe Martin Mfazwe
United Democratic Movement (UDM) – 16 PR Councillors
- Nqabayomzi Lawrence Saziso Kwankwa
- Dorcas Bacela
- Azola Mrano-Skenjana
- Zani Ngozi
- Luvuyo Welcome Lutuli
- Sibusiso Mpofu
- Siphamandla Mabesi
- Andile Advocate Siko
- Dumisani Ntyabontyi
- Asanda Lungelwa Ntswayintswayi
- Anele Jonathan Skoti
- Zizipo Njadu
- Khotso Kobo
- Lusanda Cenge
- Sicelo Heukile
- Wellman Zandisile Bongco
Democratic Alliance (DA) – 11 PR Councillors
- John Cristiano Cupido
- Susan Elizabeth Bentley
- Kwanele Zonke
- Vaughan Andrew Holmes
- Yolandy Ustine Gysman
- Roy Edmund Angelbeck
- Anathi Majeke
- Lorna Hali
- Onela Mangxola
- Shandrë Marilyn Hoffman
- Landile Vika
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – 5 PR Councillors
- Mkhululi Leonard Dlevu
- Nomboniso Cleopatra Mhleli
- Mvelo Abenta
- Noluthando Matyobeni
- Mziyanda Hlekiso
South African Communist Party (SACP) – 4 PR Councillors
- Xolani Malamlela
- Thozamile Emmanuel Binase
- Nomfezeko Sylvia Ngesi
- Sithembiso Dyele
ActionSA – 2 PR Councillors
- Sanele Magaqa
- Nomhle Mzekelo
African Transformation Movement (ATM) – 2 PR Councillors
- Mandisa Joy Mashiya
- Zama Mlindeni Ntshona
Patriotic Alliance (PA) – 2 PR Councillors
- Graham Melvin Lottering
- Antonio Reed
African Independent Congress (AIC) – 1 PR Councillor
- Phakamile Alfred Hlomela
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) – 1 PR Councillor
- Lubabalo Popo
uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) – 1 PR Councillor
- Mzwandile Vaaiboom
Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) – 1 PR Councillor
- Deborah Anne Theron
How the 100 Council Seats Are Divided
The final seat allocation confirms the following representation:
| Political party | Seats |
|---|---|
| ANC | 42 |
| UDM | 19 |
| DA | 17 |
| EFF | 7 |
| SACP | 5 |
| ActionSA | 2 |
| ATM | 2 |
| PA | 2 |
| FF Plus | 1 |
| PAC | 1 |
| AIC | 1 |
| MK | 1 |
| Total | 100 |
ANC Loses Majority as Coalition Negotiations Continue
The election results represent a significant change in Buffalo City’s political landscape.
The ANC, which previously held 61 seats and governed with an outright majority, now controls just 42 seats.
The UDM has emerged as the second-largest party, securing 19 seats and overtaking the DA, which holds 17.
The ANC and SACP would have a combined 47 seats if they agreed to govern together, four short of the 51 seats required for an outright majority.
The UDM has been involved in discussions with other opposition parties over a possible alternative governing arrangement.
Among the newly confirmed councillors is UDM deputy president Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, who has been identified as the party’s mayoral candidate for Buffalo City.
However, coalition negotiations have faced difficulties, with political parties struggling to reach agreement on possible governing arrangements.
No final coalition agreement determining the municipality’s next administration has been independently confirmed.
New Mayor and Speaker Still to Be Elected
Although the IEC has now officially confirmed the elected councillors, the publication of their names does not determine who will serve as executive mayor, speaker or other political office-bearers.
Those positions will be determined through the relevant council processes when the newly elected council convenes.
The outcome of coalition negotiations will have significant implications for the administration of Buffalo City, including municipal finances, infrastructure development, electricity, water provision, road maintenance and other essential services.
The date of the inaugural council meeting had not been independently verified at the time of publication.
Residents can consult the complete councillor list in Government Gazette 55741, published on 13 November 2026.
