More than 130 hung councils are shaping South Africa’s municipal landscape after the 2026 local government elections, but political analyst William Gumede says coalition governance itself is not the issue — rather, it is the lack of political maturity among leaders that threatens service delivery and stability.
Gumede, associate professor at Wits University, told SABC News on 9 November that coalitions have historically delivered significant progress globally and that the problem lies with party leaders prioritising narrow interests over citizens’ needs. “Coalition is not a problem. In fact … coalitions since the Second World War have delivered economic miracles … If coalitions are not in the public interest, they won’t deliver,” Gumede said.
He added, “The problem so far has been our political parties and our leaders, not coalitions as a form of governance.” This sentiment is echoed by other political experts calling for maturity and transparency to stabilise coalition arrangements in South African municipalities.
The 2026 elections saw an increase in hung councils, where no party secured a majority, making coalition negotiations critical for governance. Business Day’s 9 November explainer noted coalition politics will significantly influence how metros and municipalities are governed going forward.
Government is responding by drafting coalition governance guidelines via the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA). SANews reported on 6 November that these guidelines aim to reduce instability and service-delivery disruptions common in coalition councils.
Part of the reform agenda includes the proposed Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, referred to as the Municipal Coalitions Bill. This legislation would enforce written coalition agreements and clearer dispute-resolution mechanisms, as highlighted by reports from IOL on 9 November.
Dr Lungelwa Kaywood, a political analyst, emphasises the importance of transparency in coalition deals. “What will make coalitions work … is written agreements that are made public,” she said. Kaywood stressed that coalition agreements must focus on service delivery plans rather than the allocation of municipal manager or CFO positions.
Dr Harlan Cloete also highlighted the role of political maturity, urging major losing parties to prioritise national interest over party rivalry: “We need political maturity from the two biggest losers to say, let’s put South Africa first.”
The common thread among academics, policy commentators, and government planning is that coalition stability depends on mature leadership, public and binding agreements, and a shared focus on effective service delivery.
Despite broad consensus on these solutions, it remains unclear which hung councils will successfully implement stable coalitions post-election. Transparency around agreements and genuine commitment to service delivery over political gain will be the key test.
CapeFlats.co.za will continue monitoring coalition formations and governance developments as local municipalities navigate this complex post-election period.