The African National Congress (ANC) has adopted a flexible approach to municipal coalition negotiations following its losses in the recent local government elections in South Africa. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the party's national executive committee (NEC) has expressed reservations about arrangements with smaller political parties and views the Democratic Alliance (DA) as a partner of last resort. This approach is expected to guide the ANC's negotiations across the country's 257 municipalities.
The ANC's NEC meeting on Thursday, which ended at midnight, backed what sources described as "tactical flexibility" as the party prepares to negotiate governing arrangements. There was no appetite for a one-size-fits-all approach to coalition negotiations, with the party recognising that political circumstances differ between municipalities and that agreements would need to reflect local conditions. This flexible approach is expected to be shaped by the balance of power and political considerations in each council.
The DA remains a possible coalition partner, but sources within the NEC said it was considered only as a last resort. The ANC is already in a national government of national unity (GNU) with the DA, but the party's approach to municipal arrangements is expected to be more cautious. The ANC is therefore expected to weigh the benefits of individual arrangements rather than pursue partnerships simply to secure governing majorities.
The party's reduced support has left it dependent on agreements with other parties to retain control of several municipalities, including key metropolitan councils. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is expected to brief provincial and regional structures on the party's position and the way forward as negotiations gather pace on Friday. He will also hold a media briefing on Saturday on the matter.
The NEC discussions also did not produce calls for president Cyril Ramaphosa to resign, according to the sources, despite the party's poor performance at the polls. The ANC's preference for "tactical flexibility" comes as political parties have begun parallel negotiations to secure governing majorities in hung councils, with horse-trading already under way at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.
Other parties, including the DA, have held separate engagements with various parties, including ActionSA, the IFP, and the Patriotic Alliance. The MK Party and IFP also held marathon discussions, while the EFF, SACP, and MK Party convened separately to discuss their coalition strategies. These parallel negotiations are expected to shape the municipal coalitions in the coming days.
The ANC's flexible approach to coalition negotiations reflects the changing political landscape in South Africa, where no single party has a majority in many municipalities. The party's ability to adapt to these changes will be crucial in determining its success in the coming negotiations and its ability to retain control of key municipalities.
Key points
- The ANC has adopted a flexible approach to municipal coalition negotiations following its losses in the recent local government elections.
- The party views the DA as a partner of last resort and will weigh the benefits of individual arrangements rather than pursue partnerships simply to secure governing majorities.
- The ANC's flexible approach reflects the changing political landscape in South Africa, where no single party has a majority in many municipalities.
