The African National Congress (ANC) is intensifying coalition negotiations following its poor showing in the 2026 local government elections, particularly in Johannesburg where it failed to win any proportional representation (PR) seats. The party’s senior mayoral hopefuls, including former mayor Dada Morero, Loyiso Masuku, and Frank Chikane, currently hold no council seats, heightening pressure on the ANC to secure partners to govern in hung municipalities.
Reports on 12 November indicated the ANC was exploring discussions with the South African Communist Party (SACP) about the possibility of the SACP transferring some of its PR seats in councils to help the ANC place mayoral candidates in Johannesburg’s 270-seat council. A majority requires 136 seats, and since the ANC’s local election performance fell short, alliances have become critical.
However, the SACP’s acting spokesperson, Mhlekwa Nxumalo, clarified that seat trading does not feature in their negotiation agenda. Speaking to the Mail & Guardian, Nxumalo said, “We are not going to enter any negotiations regarding those changes. The trade off with councillors would not form part of their negotiations.” The SACP also emphasised it would set minimum standards for any coalition engagement and would not support the ANC if it expected collaboration with the Democratic Alliance (DA) or Freedom Front Plus (FF+).
On 12 November, the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) met at Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni to chart a coalition strategy after the election setback. Johannesburg’s outcome has become a focal point, as the party’s failure to secure PR seats left prominent figures like Morero out of council. This situation underscores the critical nature of coalition talks across South Africa’s hung municipalities.
Independent reporting confirmed the ANC’s situation in Johannesburg, where the lack of PR seats complicates the party’s ability to form a stable majority. The SACP’s own seat tally gives it some influence in coalition negotiations, but no formal seat-transfer agreement between the parties has been verified. The parties remain at the stage of informal discussions, with clear red lines indicating complicated negotiations ahead.
This coalition horse-trading bears significant implications for municipal governance across the country, including in the Western Cape, where stable administrations are needed for effective service delivery and local development. The ANC’s strategy in negotiating with partners like the SACP will shape the political landscape in Johannesburg and beyond.
As coalition discussions ramp up, it remains unclear which partners the ANC will engage with across municipalities nationwide. The SACP’s conditions indicate that alliances with the DA or FF+ are off the table if it is to support the ANC. These parameters will influence the party’s manoeuvring in the coming weeks.
Cape Flats News will continue monitoring coalition talks and will provide updates on any formal agreements or shifts in the balance of power in key councils.