ANC moves to centralise coalition approach after municipal losses
The ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is also expected to meet on Thursday to finalise the "doctrine" that will guide the party’s approach to coalitions.
Babalo Ndenze
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. Photo: Simphiwe Nkosi
Simphiwe Nkosi
The African National Congress (ANC) said it must centralise its coalition approach to avoid past experiences where coalitions were formed "council by council", leading to instability.
The ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is also expected to meet on Thursday to finalise the "doctrine" that will guide the party’s approach to coalitions.
The details of the ANC’s coalition approach are contained in a circular from Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, addressed to provincial chairpersons, provincial task team conveners and provincial secretaries.
The ANC will enter coalition talks soon after losing control in 110 municipalities across the country.
These include the last two metros the party controlled, in Mangaung and Buffalo City.
Final results show that the ANC secured 30.8% of the national vote, down sharply from 46% in 2021.
In an internal circular to members, Fikile Mbalula said the aim of centralising their coalition approach was to "ensure that the ANC engages counterparts in a coordinated way through the secretary-general and speaks with one voice in every council".
Mbalula said over the 2021–2026 term, coalitions formed "council by council", without a shared programme, "often proved unstable".
He said a coordinated approach will help the ANC build arrangements that last for the full term and serve citizens well.
The party’s national officials, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will be responsible for "analysing and finalising the doctrine" that will guide the party through what will be robust coalition negotiations.