PHOTO ESSAY: Candid moments of politicians captured at the IEC Results Operations Centres around SA

ActionSA’s Tshwane mayoral candidate Dr Nasiphi Moya and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Treasurer-General Omphile Maotwe share a moment at the National Results Operations Centre at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

Beyond the official announcements, election results and political negotiations, the IEC Results Operations Centres across South Africa have also provided a look at the politicians away from the podium and prepared speeches.

From moments of laughter and animated conversations to quiet exchanges, interactions with colleagues and unexpected reactions, these candid photographs capture the personalities and human moments behind the country's 2026 Local Government Elections.

Here is a look at some of the moments captured on camera as politicians gathered to follow the counting process and await the results.

The MK Party, IFP, ActionSA and DA all caught in one frame, laughing together at the IEC Provincial Operations Centre. Could this be an early sign of possible coalition formation already?

African Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu, speaking during an interview at the Results Operation Centre (ROC) at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli is conducting a walkabout at the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) KwaZulu-Natal Results Operations Centre as election results continue to be processed.

Freedom Front Plus representative Pieter Jansen van Vuuren at the Western Cape provincial results centre as results from the 2026 local government elections continue to be processed.

GOOD’s Cape Town mayoral candidate, Brett Herron, at the Western Cape provincial results centre as results from the 2026 local government elections continue to be processed.

ANC Western Cape provincial convenor Jerimia Thuynsma at the Western Cape provincial results centre as results from the 2026 local government elections continue to be processed.

ACDP Western Cape provincial chairperson Grant Haskin at the Western Cape provincial results centre as results from the 2026 local government elections continue to be processed.

ActionSA’s Cape Town mayoral candidate, Dereleen James, at the Western Cape provincial results centre as results from the 2026 local government elections continue to be processed.