Coalition Country
With political parties gearing up for national and provincial elections in 2024, is the state of local coalition governments a sign of what’s to come?
With political parties gearing up for national and provincial elections in 2024, is the state of local coalition governments a sign of what’s to come?
IFP sets sights on wooing (and winning over) Gauteng voters in 2026 municipal elections
Once seen as a regional party, the IFP is now courting Gauteng’s urban voters. Its 50th anniversary celebration in Soweto signalled a broader ambition: to grow beyond tradition and turn presence into political power ahead of the 2026 local elections.
What the Good-Bosa-Rise Mzansi merger means for SA’s 2026 coalition politics arena
Build One South Africa (Bosa), Good and Rise Mzansi have merged to form Unite for Change, ahead of the 2026 local elections. However, the parties’ current councillors, MPs, and MPLs will serve out their terms under their existing party banners.
Small parties, big stakes – local governance failures set the stage for 2026
Will the pattern of microparties’ influence in local government continue, or will voters decide to punish them and return to bigger parties?
Floyd Shivambu and our politics of churn
The decision by former MK party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu to ‘consult’ before starting a new party is another indication of what could become a dominant trend in our politics. We are now likely to see more parties being formed more often, and, in many cases, failing. This churn is all about palace politics and may lead to more disengagement.
Coalition governance: Will the GNU forge a new centrist political landscape?
There is the potential that the ANC and DA partnership in the GNU may provide the impetus for a new centrist political consensus for South Africa, which spans ideology, race and class in the country’s politics, economics and society.
Western Cape municipalities’ debt to Eskom slowly improving, but Kannaland still a problem
Five municipalities in the Western Cape owe Eskom money. They are either run by coalitions or face political instability. As municipalities are slowly working to improve their debt, one municipality is struggling and a financial recovery plan is on its way.
The GNU at one — serial crises and continual turmoil are the order of the day
The first year of the Government of National Unity saw crises of power-sharing, policy fallouts, court challenges, declarations of mutual contempt between the ANC and DA, and the construction of a substitute coalition — followed by truces and a seeming compulsion to stay the course.
New coalition wrests governance of Matzikama from DA/FF+
‘A long time coming’ is how Thursday’s council change in Matzikama was described. The new governing ANC/Good/EFF/PA coalition has promised to focus on service delivery.
Key ingredients for putting together successful coalition governments
The 2021 municipal elections led to 16 hung councils in the Western Cape, all of which needed coalitions to govern. What does it take for a coalition to succeed? And what lessons can Western Cape municipalities bring to the national coalition discussion?
Nation-building or nation-breaking? The GNU needs an identity reset
With the government of national unity likely saved through a VAT deal to scrap the tax increase announced at midnight, attention turns to how to make the GNU more effective and to decide on an identity. At issue is the character of the power-sharing arrangement — how much should the parties publicly differ or should they be in a showcase of national unity? Daily Maverick’s Ferial Haffajee asked the CEO of the Inclusive Society Institute, Daryl Swanepoel, what the difference is between a coalition government and a government of national unity? Swanepoel was in the Gauteng government in 1994 and was an exponent of South Africa’s first GNU in 1994.
Knysna’s new mayor talks up infrastructure fixes, opposition says council’s ‘reshuffling deckchairs on Titanic’
Knysna’s problems won’t be fixed overnight, says new mayor Thando Matika. The ‘Jewel of the Garden Route’ has been beset with governance and service delivery problems. Matika wants to focus on infrastructure – starting with fixing potholes and sewerage pipes.
ANC and ActionSA’s relationship in City of Johannesburg heads for the rocks
ActionSA could lose key positions, including committee chairpersons and the speaker of the council, if the ANC-led multiparty government in Johannesburg decides to introduce a motion of no confidence. This comes after tensions escalated because of ActionSA’s failure to support the adjustment budget on Thursday.
Swellendam has a DA and FF Plus problem — sudden resignation leaves no mayor, no speaker
The Western Cape’s Swellendam council is now officially leaderless following Monday’s resignation of speaker Juan van Schalkwyk. Just last week, mayor Francois du Rand was removed in a motion of no confidence. This is the latest in a series of dramas involving the DA, ANC and FF Plus.
With the GNU comes hope, a sense of fresh energy and new talent
The greatest impact of the GNU so far has been the sense of optimism it has ignited in the people of South Africa. This is gold: economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation cannot happen when a country is steeped in a culture of hopelessness.
So, 2024 — the year that was… dry, politically hot, and very stinky
Do you dare look back? You’ll see Mr Steenhuisen’s mistake, Joburg’s various follies and a river of poo.
Red Alert — will the SACP disappear into insignificance without the ANC?
The ANC’s alliance with the DA in the coalition government has alienated its communist Tripartite Alliance partner, which wants to contest the 2026 local government elections on its own.
Incompatible — the SACP’s anti-GNU stance and its own ‘principles’
On Monday evening, the ANC held a public event it said was to commemorate the 100 days since the formation of the national coalition government. While the real intent of the event was not entirely clear, it became a focal point for the SACP’s opposition to the coalition, and particularly to the decision to work with the DA. But the SACP’s acceptance of positions for its members in the coalition Cabinet shows how hollow its claims of principle really are.
Mbalula’s failed attempt to dehorn Lesufi proves ANC’s internal boiler of disagreement still runs hot
Recent events concerning ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, Gauteng ANC leader Panyaza Lesufi and the election of ActionSA’s Nasiphi Moya as the mayor of Tshwane reveal that ANC members and structures have still not properly discussed the decision to work with the DA in a national coalition. The lid cannot be kept on this forever.
Four candidates vie to be Tshwane mayor, while ANC could face multiple no-confidence motions elsewhere
Read the flaming letter Helen Zille wrote to the ANC after Cilliers Brink was ousted as mayor of Tshwane.
Coalitions sans Frontiers — ANC’s incoming tough decisions at municipal level may have far-reaching implications
ANC leaders have been occupied with memorial services for Pravin Gordhan, but they still have major political decisions to make — ones that could determine the future of the national coalition. In Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay, the crucial question is whether the local ANC will work with the DA. ANC MPs have accepted working with the DA, but forcing ANC councillors to do the same may prove more difficult.
Ramaphosa and the Bela Bill — the power of political surprise, but at what cost?
The announcement that President Cyril Ramaphosa will sign the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill into law on Friday will provide the first big test of the national coalition government. In particular, it forces the DA to make a difficult decision about whether to stay in the coalition. It also poses a risk for the ANC.
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