Key Takeaways
- The 2026 municipal elections in South Africa are expected to produce a significant increase in hung councils, where no single party wins an outright majority.
- The country’s political landscape is evolving, with long-standing one-party dominance waning and multiparty coalition governance becoming the norm.
- Coalition politics is no longer exceptional but has become embedded in South Africa’s democratic landscape, with over 80 hung councils in the 2021 elections.
- The movement towards coalitions is driven by declining voter support for dominant parties in many urban areas.
- The 2026 elections are expected to see further fragmentation, with 34 new political parties registered since the 2024 general elections.
Introduction to Hung Councils
The upcoming municipal elections in South Africa are likely to produce a significant increase in hung councils, where no single party wins an outright majority. This trend is expected to raise concerns about governance, stability, and service delivery across the country. According to experts, South Africa’s political landscape is evolving, with long-standing one-party dominance waning and multiparty coalition governance increasingly becoming the norm. Professor Zweli Ndevu of the Inclusive Society Institute notes that coalitions are now a defining feature of local government, reflecting a declining trust in any one political party to govern effectively.
The Rise of Coalition Politics
The number of hung councils has steadily increased since the first democratic local government elections in 2000, from 29 to over 80 by the 2021 elections. This signals growing political fragmentation and the need for parties to negotiate alliances or minority administrations to govern. SALGA’s Chief Officer for Intergovernmental Relations and Municipal Resilience, Lance Joel, notes that coalition politics is no longer exceptional but has become embedded in South Africa’s democratic landscape. In every election cycle since 2000, there has been an increase in hung councils, with more than half of municipalities lacking a clear majority in 2021.
Impacts of Hung Councils
The instability in coalition councils has had tangible impacts in many areas, particularly in major metropolitan municipalities such as Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Nelson Mandela Bay. These councils have experienced frequent turnover of leadership and executive committees, sometimes resulting in delays in adopting budgets, infrastructure plans, and critical policies. While critics argue that coalition governments can slow decision-making and complicate service delivery, others point out that not all hung councils perform poorly. In some cases, well-structured coalitions with clear agreements and cooperative leadership have maintained basic services and administrative continuity.
Driving Factors Behind Coalition Politics
The movement towards coalitions is driven in part by declining voter support for dominant parties in many urban areas. Data from the 2021 local elections showed the ruling African National Congress (ANC) dipping below 50% in overall vote share for the first time at the local level, while opposition and smaller parties gained ground. As communities prepare for the 2026 elections, analysts predict further fragmentation, with 34 new political parties registered since the 2024 general elections. This could potentially increase the number of kingmaker parties that hold the balance of power in coalition talks.
Election Timetable and Preparations
The Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, confirmed the election timetable, noting the constitutional requirement that municipal councils elected in November 2021 must hold new elections within 90 days of their five-year term ending in November 2026. President Cyril Ramaphosa has also urged political parties, particularly the ANC, to address persistent local government challenges ahead of the polls, including uneven service delivery, infrastructure backlogs, and rising public dissatisfaction.
Challenges and Opportunities of Coalition Politics
Coalition politics presents both challenges and opportunities for South Africa’s local governance. On one hand, more negotiated governance could foster broader representation and accountability. On the other, without strong coalition agreements and stability mechanisms, communities risk slower service delivery and political uncertainty. As the country prepares for the 2026 elections, it is essential to consider the implications of coalition politics and the need for effective governance and leadership to address the challenges facing local governments. By understanding the complexities of coalition politics and its potential impacts, South Africa can work towards building a more stable and effective system of local governance.