Inside the election that blew open South African politics | Financial Mail

Politicians’ demeanour at the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) results operations centre told the story of last week’s local government election before the final numbers did.

The ANC looked shell-shocked, despite insisting that the results board mirrored what its internal polling had shown. ActionSA’s Herman Mashaba was beaming as he took to the floor of the results centre. The DA mood was one of quiet optimism as its projections firmed, though Joburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille looked downcast as it became clear that support of 40%-plus in the metro was not going to materialise. EFF leader Julius Malema put on a brave face as he strolled into Gallagher Estate on Saturday, but the forced smiles of his entourage betrayed the pain felt at Winnie Madikizela Mandela House.