127 hung councils put South Africa’s coalition governments to the test
With 127 of South Africa’s 213 municipalities facing hung councils, political analyst Hlumelo Xaba and government leaders have urged parties to put service delivery, accountability and stable municipal administration at the centre of coalition negotiations.
South Africa's newly elected municipal councils face the challenge of forming stable administrations in 127 of the 213 municipalities where no single party won a clear majority. The country's incoming councils must negotiate governing arrangements to ensure effective service delivery and accountability. Analyst Hlumelo Xaba stated that coalitions have become the norm in South African politics over the past decade, and parties must shift their focus to addressing the specific needs of each municipality.
Coalition governments have historically struggled with instability, with frequent leadership changes and disagreements between coalition partners disrupting municipal administration. Government spokesperson William Baloyi urged incoming councillors to prioritize transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to residents' needs.
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) called on parties to move away from electoral competition and focus on governing effectively. President Cyril Ramaphosa cautioned parties against using coalition negotiations as a platform for political power struggles, emphasizing the importance of serving residents by delivering essential services such as reliable water, electricity, refuse collection, and safe streets.
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