---
title: "Cilliers Brink reflects on ouster, coalition politics and 2026 election strategy"
description: "Cilliers Brink says he wants to take a different approach if elected Tshwane mayor in 2026. Drawing on lessons from his previous tenure, he pledges clearer rules, stronger partnerships, and principled coalition management to ensure stable governance and better service delivery."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "POWER PLAY"
author: "Nonkululeko Njilo"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/nonkululeko-njilo/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-22-brink-reflects-on-ouster-coalition-politics-and-2026-election-strategy/"
published: "2025-09-22T13:54:34"
updated: "2025-09-22T13:54:36"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 870
---

# Cilliers Brink reflects on ouster, coalition politics and 2026 election strategy

> Cilliers Brink says he wants to take a different approach if elected Tshwane mayor in 2026. Drawing on lessons from his previous tenure, he pledges clearer rules, stronger partnerships, and principled coalition management to ensure stable governance and better service delivery.

By Nonkululeko Njilo · Published 22 September 2025, 15:54 SAST · Updated 22 September 2025, 15:54 SAST

## Key points
- Cilliers Brink, the DA's ayoral candidate for Tshwane, is back in the political ring with a new coalition playbook.
- Cilliers Brink aims to approach coalition management differently as the DA's Tshwane mayoral candidate for the 2026 elections, following his ousting last year.
- Despite accusations of arrogance from coalition partner ActionSA, Brink insists his working relationship with deputy mayor Nasiphi Moya was effective and collaborative.
- He emphasises the need for clearer rules and credible partners in coalition politics, advocating for a disciplined approach to governance.
- Brink believes the 2026 elections will prompt voters to reconsider support for smaller parties, aiming to demonstrate that stable coalitions can deliver effective governance.

## Content

Cilliers Brink, recently unveiled as the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Tshwane mayoral candidate for the 2026 local government elections, says he is entering the race determined to handle coalitions differently after his turbulent 18-month stint as the City’s executive mayor.

Brink was ousted through a motion of no confidence exactly [a year ago.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-26-cilliers-brink-is-out-tshwane-has-14-days-to-elect-new-mayor/)

When he and his then-deputy, Nasiphi Moya, took office, the City was in serious financial trouble and struggling to pay debts to Eskom and Rand Water.

Their administration saw some improvement in the delivery of services, but cracks soon appeared in the coalition. Moya’s party, ActionSA, publicly accused the DA of being an arrogant partner, not consulting properly and neglecting black communities.

Brink, however, rejected the idea that his working relationship with Moya had collapsed.

“There was no fall-out; we worked really well together. We worked through every dispute,” he said.

**Read more:** [City of Tshwane seeks R1bn a month from debtors to solve financial crisis](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-02-12-city-of-tshwane-seeks-r1bn-a-month-from-debtors-to-solve-financial-crisis/)

Among other disputes, Brink said they faced resistance to plans for power stations and disagreements over who should manage the leasing of municipal properties, disagreements that they were ultimately able to resolve.

To back his claims, Brink said he had championed the creation of the deputy mayor’s post despite concerns about competing power structures as a way of ensuring power sharing.

Moya was the City’s first deputy executive mayor.

“I said to the guys, this idea of a deputy mayor is not popular; it certainly is not going to be comfortable. There is a risk of two centres of power, but it is in the coalition agreement and if we want to make sure this coalition agreement is implemented, and that there is proper power sharing, we would better create that position,” Brink said.

#### **Approach to coalitions**

Brink says his biggest takeaway from his time in office is that there is a need for clearer rules and stronger principles when managing coalitions.

“Coalition politics is a reality, and it’s very unlikely that we will once again have a hegemonic, dominant party like the ANC used to be,” he said.

His strategy centres on clarity of purpose.

“The first important point is to be clear about what you believe, your worldview, policies and mandate from voters. That clarity tells you where to compromise and where not to,” Brink said.

Equally important, he said, is ensuring partners have credibility.

“You have to build relationships with local leaders who have a democratic mandate and who are people of integrity. With that, plus a majority, you have the ingredients of a successful coalition.”

#### **Campaigning for consolidation**

Brink also hopes that the lessons of coalition instability will resonate with voters. He argued that many who previously backed smaller parties such as ActionSA may reconsider in 2026.

It would appear that this is part of his party’s electoral campaign.

“Voters will look at these parties and what they’ve offered and maybe you’ll see more consolidation. \[…\] If you vote for a party, make sure it stands for something, has democratic structures, and doesn’t run on the whims of a single leader,” Brink said.

For him, the 2026 elections are not just about reclaiming the mayor’s seat but about proving that coalitions, if managed with discipline and integrity, can deliver stability in an era where no single party is guaranteed dominance.

Brink described the role of mayor as a “daunting” one, but he believes he has the right skills and experience from both local and national government to handle it.

While some may suggest his candidacy is driven more by politics than by the interests of residents, Brink acknowledged the point but clarified the context.

“That would be a fair comment, but only if I was voted out by the electorate; and that didn’t happen. My administration was voted out by a coalition partner who thought they could get a better deal,” he said.

When asked if he could have done better as mayor, Brink acknowledged there were unfinished plans but said the fundamentals were on track.

“So, we had a plan to establish a dedicated public lighting unit and to use solar-powered lights for public lighting, but we simply didn’t have enough time to implement it. Another part of the financial recovery was rolling out smart prepaid electricity meters, which is where you lose a lot of money if usage isn’t properly metered. We were voted out before we could move on that. Of course, there are hundreds of things we could have done better, but on the fundamentals, I think we were heading in the right direction.”

**Read more:**[After 18-month delay, Tshwane nears blacklisting of Edwin Sodi as water woes persist](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-11-tshwane-nears-blacklisting-of-edwin-sodi-as-water-woes-persist/)

Brink also faced significant criticism, particularly from the opposition parties, over claims that his administration neglected black townships and previously disadvantaged communities such as Soshanguve and Hammanskraal.

However, he said this is something he is not bothered by, describing it as political rhetoric.

“So firstly, you have to understand that is the rhetoric of the opposition, the ANC. The ANC’s essential message is not that they can deliver, that they’ve got integrity, or that they’re acting against corruption. Their essential narrative is that, you know, the DA won’t deliver to the townships,” Brink said.**DM**