South African Political Parties Negotiate Coalition Agreements Ahead of Municipal Council Elections

As municipal council elections approach, South African political parties are engaged in intense negotiations to form coalition agreements. The discussions come as several municipalities, including Johannesburg and Tshwane, prepare to elect new mayors. In Gauteng, the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), and ActionSA are expected to dominate negotiations across the three metros.

According to sources close to ActionSA's internal discussions, the party's preferred option is to approach the ANC with a proposal that would allow it to retain the mayoral position in Tshwane, take control of Johannesburg, and leave the ANC in charge of Ekurhuleni. This arrangement would see outgoing Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya remain in office, and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba become Johannesburg mayor.

ActionSA is also exploring an alternative arrangement with the DA that could see it retain the mayoral position in Tshwane in exchange for power sharing in Ekurhuleni. Mashaba has proposed that in Johannesburg, both Helen Zille and he stand back as candidates for mayor, allowing the DA to identify a suitable replacement. Under this arrangement, the DA could conceivably be supported for the mayoralty of Johannesburg, with ActionSA assuming the deputy mayoralty.

However, there appears to be no consensus within the ANC on how to approach coalition negotiations in eThekwini. Some senior ANC leaders believe the party should allow the MK Party to lead the municipality, supported by smaller parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Others, including ANC provincial task team convenor Mike Mabuyakhulu, argue that the government of provincial unity arrangement should be replicated in the metro.

Mabuyakhulu reportedly raised concerns that allowing the MK Party to take control could reverse gains made under mayor Cyril Xaba and the presidential intervention team. An NEC member said the arguments over eThekwini reflected the broader divisions within the party over whether it should prioritise political pragmatism or respect the electoral outcome.

In the Eastern Cape, ActionSA leader Athol Trollip has met DA leaders to discuss a possible coalition arrangement that could see the DA's Retief Odendaal reclaim the mayoral chain in Nelson Mandela Bay. Although ActionSA and the DA have had strained relations in Gauteng, Trollip appears more open to working with the party in the Eastern Cape.

Johannesburg and Tshwane are expected to hold their inaugural council sittings on Thursday. The negotiations and agreements will likely have significant implications for the governance and stability of these municipalities.

Key points

• The ANC, DA, and ActionSA are expected to dominate negotiations across the three metros in Gauteng.
• ActionSA's preferred option is to approach the ANC with a proposal that would allow it to retain the mayoral position in Tshwane, take control of Johannesburg, and leave the ANC in charge of Ekurhuleni.
• There appears to be no consensus within the ANC on how to approach coalition negotiations in eThekwini.