Coalition talks stare politicians in the face after LGE 2026
All municipal councils have 14 days to hold their first sittings, during which councillors must elect mayors.
Alpha Ramushwana
The national IEC results operations centre at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, on 30 May 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
Political parties are turning their attention to coalition negotiations following the local government elections that left several municipalities with hung councils.
In Gauteng’s three metropolitan municipalities, no party secured an outright majority, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) emerging as the largest party in terms of vote share.
All municipal councils have 14 days to hold their first sittings, during which councillors must elect mayors.
African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said he hopes political parties will approach the coalition negotiations with maturity.
"A doctrine that guides what must happen should not be superseded by a consideration of transactions of mayoral positions and all of that. The ANC has got to think far bigger than that," Mbalula said.
uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party First Deputy President Duduzane Zuma said the party is also ready for coalition talks.
"We will talk to whoever is willing to talk to us based on values, principles, morals and our vision. That’s it. This time we are well prepared. We were first to announce our negotiating team. So, lessons learnt, and I think we’ll pull it over the line properly this time," Zuma said.
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