ANC Opens Coalition Talks Over Gauteng Metro Councils

By SBT Reporter, Johannesburg

The African National Congress (ANC) has opened closed-door coalition talks with the Democratic Alliance (DA), ActionSA and other political parties as negotiations intensify over the formation of administrations in Gauteng's three hung metropolitan councils.

The meeting, being held in Midrand, Johannesburg, on Saturday, brings together the ANC, DA, Build One South Africa (BOSA), ActionSA, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party). The discussions follow South Africa's November 4 local government elections, which left Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni without an outright winner.

The DA emerged as the largest party in all three metros but failed to secure the majorities required to govern alone, making coalition agreements necessary to establish new administrations. According to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), parties have 14 days from Saturday to constitute councils through coalition arrangements.

ANC open to parties across the political spectrum

The ANC has indicated that it is prepared to engage parties across the political spectrum as it considers possible partnerships in councils where no party has secured a majority. National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the party's National Executive Committee had endorsed the approach and that discussions with potential partners were already under way.

She said the ANC wanted coalition agreements based on a common programme with measurable service-delivery targets. The party's stated priorities include stable municipal administrations, transparency, accountability and action against corruption. It is expected to outline its position on the negotiations next week.

The ANC's willingness to engage parties with differing political positions comes after a significant decline in its electoral support. Its national share of the vote fell to 30.76 percent, compared with 45.59 percent in the 2021 local government elections. It remained the largest party nationally but lost outright control in several councils it had previously governed.

DA leads in all three Gauteng metros

In Johannesburg, the DA secured 34.79 percent of the vote, followed by the ANC with 20.25 percent and ActionSA with 16.27 percent. In Tshwane, the DA received 34.37 percent, while ActionSA secured 22.07 percent and the ANC 20.22 percent. Ekurhuleni recorded a similar outcome, with the DA on 30.68 percent, the ANC on 22.11 percent and ActionSA on 18.50 percent. None of the parties secured enough seats to govern any of the three metros independently.

The results give smaller parties significant influence in negotiations over mayoral appointments, council leadership and the formation of governing coalitions. ActionSA has been engaging several parties, including the ANC, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), DA and IFP. Its national chairperson, Michael Beaumont, has said the party is prepared to negotiate across the political spectrum, subject to its coalition principles.

Political differences complicate negotiations

The ANC's coalition discussions are taking place against the backdrop of its national Government of National Unity (GNU), in which the DA is a partner. However, the two parties have significant political differences, and their participation in the national arrangement does not automatically translate into cooperation at the municipal level.

The ANC has also faced pressure from parties, including the EFF and MK Party, to consider alternative political arrangements. The Midrand meeting brings several potential coalition partners into the same negotiating process, but their participation does not mean that an agreement has been reached.

Service delivery at stake

Beyond the contest for mayoral positions, the negotiations will determine how the three metropolitan councils are governed and how their administrations respond to residents' needs. Coalition agreements are expected to address service delivery, municipal finances, accountability and the stability of council leadership.

The challenge will be to establish administrations capable of passing budgets, implementing municipal programmes and maintaining essential services despite the absence of a single-party majority. No coalition agreement had been announced at the time of the Midrand meeting.

The coming days will determine which political parties are able to reach common ground and form administrations in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

Gauteng coalition talks 2026