WeeklySA_AdminEXPECTATIONS: A historic number of hung councils has sent parties into coalition talks. They must now put political differences aside and deliver the services voters expect…
By Monk Nkomo
Political parties have reacted to the local government election results with a mixture of relief, celebration and disappointment, as the ANC’s declining support reshapes the municipal landscape.
United Democratic Movement spokesperson Mlimandlela Ndamase declared: “We have defeated arrogance.”
The UDM also announced that it would not enter into a coalition with the ANC in Buffalo City in the Eastern Cape. This was despite its leader, Bantu Holomisa, serving as a deputy minister of defence in the ANC-led Government of National Unity.
Herman Mashaba, leader of ActionSA, which performed above expectations in several provinces, also welcomed the ANC’s loss of support.
“Forgotten people have made their voices heard at the polls,” he said.
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, who earlier this week conceded that his party had not performed according to plan, had urged black South Africans not to vote for the DA. He was quoted as saying that, where the DA governed, poor black residents were pushed to the edges of cities, far from workplaces and other opportunities.
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis was optimistic about securing a decisive victory in Cape Town, celebrating the party’s continued control of the city nearly two days after counting began.
“We thank all those who voted for the party,” he said.
The South African Communist Party, which contested the municipal elections for the first time and performed well in several provinces, said it would meet on Monday to consider potential coalition partners across municipalities.
“There is no automatic support for any single party,” it said.
ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane said the priority was to establish a stable local government, whatever the election outcome.
“What is of significance is that the product that is going to be presented here at the end of the day is a product that actually must help to ensure that there is stability at local government level,” she said.
Mokonyane said the ANC was prepared to engage with other political parties where necessary to secure stability in councils, improve service delivery and ensure the accountability of municipal employees.
Although the ANC had lost substantial support, including to splinter parties, and failed to retain outright control of several municipalities it previously governed, it remained the largest party in many hung councils.
It is now back to the drawing board for political parties as they meet to negotiate coalitions and form administrations to serve the people who elected them.
Now that the elections are over, it is time to bury the hatchet and deliver services.
