November 2026

November 2

1. 1Trump suspends South Africa from AGOA, ending duty-free US access from 2027

   The Trump administration has suspended South Africa from AGOA, ending the country's duty-free access to the US market from 2027. Rwanda was removed from the trade programme at the same time. The decision follows a US review of South Africa's eligibility.

2. 2ANC heads for its worst local election result with 80 percent of ballots counted

   The ANC is on course for its worst-ever local election showing, with 80 percent of ballots counted, as support for the party slumped in South Africa's municipal vote. The count puts the party behind its previous results and leaves it facing a bruising defeat in the councils it has run.

3. 3South Africa begins counting local election votes as ANC and DA lead early tallies

   Counting began after 9pm in South Africa's 2026 local government elections, with the ANC and DA leading the early tallies. The Mail & Guardian reported that a meagre 12 million people cast ballots.

4. 4South Africans vote in local elections as ANC faces anger over water and services

   South Africans voted in the 2026 local government election, with 11.5 million voters registered across the country's eight metropolitan municipalities. Johannesburg has the highest number of registered voters among the eight metros.

5. 5South Africa holds municipal elections as ANC faces losses and no party wins a national majority

   South Africa's local government elections are being held this week, with special voting on Monday and Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's polls. Nationally, no party commands strong majority support as the country heads into coalition territory, according to Ipsos.