ANC leaders meet in Boksburg to set coalition mandate after worst-ever election
The ANC's national executive committee met in Boksburg on Thursday to decide how the party will negotiate for power in dozens of hung councils, after the worst election result in its history.
What the NEC must decide
The meeting will set out whether the ANC pursues mayoral posts in some hung municipalities or backs other parties to form governments, EWN reported. All three Gauteng metros were left without an outright winner.
National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said coalition agreements must prioritise residents and bring stability.
The decision of the NEC will guide how we work with others to establish stable councils and put the priorities of our municipalities at the centre of municipal government.
Three options on the table
The ANC's top seven officials were expected to present three approaches, Daily Maverick reported, citing News24.
| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| Formal coalition with the DA | The two parties govern together |
| Broader arrangement | ActionSA, the EFF and smaller parties |
| Mutual-support deal with the DA | Each governs where it is largest; both back each other's mayors and oppose no-confidence motions |
Source: Daily Maverick, citing News24.
Resistance to working with the DA runs through the party and its potential partners. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has signalled he prefers a coalition without the DA, and the ANC Youth League has ruled out the DA, Daily Maverick said.
'Swimming in coalitions'
Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula leads the coalition task team, which includes ministers Parks Tau, Enoch Godongwana and Gwede Mantashe.
"We've got experience now. Since 2016, we've been swimming in coalitions," Mbalula told Daily Maverick. He warned that without a careful approach, "we in the ANC will be facing existential crisis and total defeat."
KwaZulu-Natal talks with MK
In KwaZulu-Natal, the ANC confirmed it will hold coalition talks with the MK Party across the province's 34 hung councils, East Coast Radio reported. MK won an outright majority in three municipalities and leads in 19 others, including eThekwini.
The ANC won only one KZN council outright. Provincial convener Mike Mabuyakhulu said: "We have already invited everybody, and we are talking."