Coalition negotiations face test of fixing failing municipal governance
The coalition test: Can parties deliver where local government has failed?
As South Africa's local governments face the challenge of forming new councils, the focus lies in whether these governments can rise above political disagreements to address failing services and weak accountability. The recent election results, released by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on November 8, left 127 out of the country's 213 municipalities with hung councils, which necessitated coalition negotiations.
Analyst Hlumelo Xaba pointed out that coalition governments have become the norm in recent years, with four out of eight metros not having an outright winner in 2016. Xaba emphasized that parties must focus on the specific needs of municipalities and not solely on political positions, arguing that this will help them create agreements that can withstand political disputes.
He stressed that political parties should not allow tensions at national and provincial levels to affect local governance, where the issues directly impact residents. The call for accountability and effective municipal administration has come from government and local government organizations, urging incoming councillors to prioritize transparency and responsiveness to community needs.
Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi highlighted the participation of over 540 political parties and nearly 137,000 candidates, stressing that elected representatives must go beyond the electoral process. The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) also urged parties to focus on governance rather than electoral competition, warning that neglecting this could lead to more political uncertainty.
President Cyril Ramaphosa cautioned against turning coalition negotiations into contests over political power, emphasizing that decisions should serve the people rather than narrow interests. He urged parties to negotiate in good faith, elect office-bearers promptly, and ensure timely passage of municipal budgets. Residents have expressed their desire for practical improvements, including reliable utilities, well-maintained public spaces, and safer streets.
Ramaphosa stressed that the people's verdict must be respected and that their concerns now require immediate attention.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
