Political parties in South Africa have begun negotiating coalition agreements after the 2026 local government elections, with no single party securing an outright majority in many municipalities. These negotiations will test the parties' ability to move beyond electoral competition and establish stable partnerships that prioritize service delivery. The ANC suffered a significant setback in the elections, while the DA made gains and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party consolidated its position as a significant political force.
Major metropolitan centers, including Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, and Nelson Mandela Bay, have emerged as key coalition battlegrounds. In the Eastern Cape, Buffalo City recorded a narrow ANC lead, while Mangaung saw a closely contested race between the ANC and DA. Cape Town remained a contrast, with the DA on course to retain an outright majority. The proposed Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill of 2026 seeks to introduce greater transparency and stability into coalition governance.
The bill proposes making written coalition agreements compulsory and requiring them to be submitted to municipal managers and provincial MECs responsible for local government before being published in the Provincial Gazette. Political analyst Sandile Swana emphasized the need for transparency in coalition agreements, stating that the motivations behind the partnerships and the five-year programs of deliverables should be made public. He also stressed the importance of disclosing external stakeholders involved in coalition negotiations.
Swana warned that these arrangements could include public service partnerships, public-private partnerships, and outsourcing agreements. He cited the history of effective cooperation between the ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal as an example of successful coalition governance. Swana also urged negotiating parties to study MISTRA's research on coalition governments, which demonstrates that South Africans have the capacity to make such arrangements work.
Government Deputy Spokesperson William Baloyi stated that the government is preparing coalition guidelines through the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) to promote stability and prevent political disagreements from undermining service delivery. He emphasized the importance of service delivery to the people and urged residents to remain involved beyond election day by attending public meetings and seeking feedback on issues affecting their communities.
Various parties have outlined the conditions under which they are prepared to enter governing arrangements. The ANC acknowledged that its performance has fallen short and emphasized the need for stable coalition governments that prioritize residents and service delivery. The MK Party's spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu stated that the party will only work with parties that share its political and ideological principles, while the Freedom Front Plus emphasized service delivery and tackling corruption as key priorities.
The negotiations are taking place against a backdrop of high expectations for stable and effective governance. With the proposed coalition guidelines and bill awaiting parliamentary scrutiny, parties are under pressure to deliver on their promises and prioritize the needs of residents. As the negotiations unfold, the success of these coalition governments will depend on the parties' ability to work together and prioritize service delivery.
Key points
- The proposed Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill of 2026 seeks to introduce greater transparency and stability into coalition governance.
- Political parties are under pressure to prioritize service delivery, tackle corruption, and ensure stability in municipalities.
- The negotiations will test the parties' ability to move beyond electoral competition and establish stable partnerships that prioritize residents' needs.
