ANC must draw on GNU experience to build more functional local govt coalitions: Mantashe
Mantashe also called on his party to accept the outcome of the election and not criticise the credibility of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
Dimakatso Leshoro
ANC national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe. Picture: X/GwedeMantashe1
X/GwedeMantashe1
African National Congress (ANC) chairperson Gwede Mantashe said the party must draw on its experience in the Government of National Unity (GNU) to build more functional coalitions at local government level.
Mantashe also called on his party to accept the outcome of the election and not criticise the credibility of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
His comments come as the ANC faces the possibility of losing outright majorities in more municipalities in Gauteng and other parts of the country, according to recent polls.
Mantashe said the party must be prepared to work with other parties where it cannot govern alone.
Mantashe said ANC members questioning the credibility of the IEC has long-lasting consequences.
“Don’t discredit the IEC. Because if you do that, it has long-term effects on the credibility of the IEC. Some parties like that, we don’t like that. We want the ANC to be credible, and everyone must believe in it.”
Serving his last term as ANC chair, Mantashe will be one of the central figures when strategic coalition decisions are made in the coming weeks.
He’s acknowledged that the GNU has not always been smooth sailing, but said the experience has given the ANC important lessons on managing coalition partnerships.
“With the GNU, we attempt to make it work. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't work. So, we have some experience now. We've learned a lot of important lessons in the process. We'll use that in the local government.”
His comments come as the party faces a potentially difficult coalition landscape in Gauteng, where the final results could determine which parties it will need to partner with to form municipal governments.
Election analyst Wayne Sussman said early turnout patterns by Wednesday afternoon in Gauteng pointed to stronger participation in suburban areas.
“It’s hard to determine who’s really winning right, but I do think there is a suburban differential turnout advantage, which I think would favour parties like the DA [Democratic Alliance] and ActionSA.”
Predictions are expected to start coming in just hours after the final tally.