Mashaba offers DA Johannesburg mayoralty to break coalition deadlock

ActionSA president Herman Mashaba has proposed that the Democratic Alliance retain the mayoral position in Johannesburg in a bid to break the political deadlock between the two parties in Gauteng's metropolitan municipalities. In a letter to DA federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis dated November 7, Mashaba suggested that both he and former Cape Town mayor Helen Zille withdraw as mayoral candidates, allowing the DA to nominate a replacement who could be supported by ActionSA. This proposal signals a possible breakthrough in coalition negotiations following the local government elections.

Under Mashaba's proposal, ActionSA would take the deputy mayor position in Johannesburg, while the remaining terms of a possible coalition agreement would be negotiated between the parties. The DA received the biggest share of the Johannesburg votes with 34.79%, while the ANC received 20.25% with ActionSA taking the third spot with 16.27%. This means that the DA could form a two-party coalition with ActionSA. Mashaba's offer effectively puts the Johannesburg mayoralty on the table in an attempt to accommodate the DA while seeking to secure the top position for ActionSA in Tshwane.

The proposal also outlines a potential arrangement for Tshwane, where Mashaba wants DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink to resign his council seat and the DA to nominate a deputy mayoral candidate acceptable to ActionSA. In return, the DA would support ActionSA's mayoral candidate, Dr Nasiphi Moya. The letter follows a telephone discussion between Mashaba and Hill-Lewis on November 7, during which Mashaba said the parties should begin discussions on the Gauteng metros as soon as possible.

Mashaba acknowledged the history of strained relations between the parties, saying their previous experiences of working together had resulted in a long-term breakdown of trust. However, he argued that this should not prevent them from exploring an arrangement that could provide relief to Gauteng residents. Mashaba said the proposed arrangements were intended to create an environment in which negotiations could proceed without the baggage of previous political battles between the parties.

A DA insider said the party leaders believed that Mashaba was negotiating in bad faith, adding that it was unlikely that the party would agree to the terms. The insider stated that the DA had a stringent process to choose their mayoral candidates and that it would be unfair to ask them to remove themselves when they had done the work of campaigning. The DA leader also noted that they would negotiate in good faith but could not have ActionSA dictate to them how to deal with internal matters.

ActionSA chairperson Michael Beaumont confirmed that a letter was issued to the leader of the DA but expressed disappointment that the contents of the letter had been shared with the media. Beaumont stated that ActionSA would not want to discuss the contents of the letter through the media so that discussions may be given the best prospects of success without adding unnecessary barriers to progress.

The proposals come as the battle for control of Gauteng metros takes shape, with coalition negotiations expected to determine who governs the three Gauteng metros. Mashaba's offer provides a possible route for the two parties to co-operate in Ekurhuleni, where ActionSA has indicated its willingness to support a DA mayoral candidate. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the residents of Gauteng.

Key points

• ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba proposes that the DA retain the mayoral position in Johannesburg.
• Mashaba's proposal signals a possible breakthrough in coalition negotiations following the local government elections.
• The DA and ActionSA are negotiating a potential coalition agreement in Gauteng's metropolitan municipalities.