The African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, and ActionSA are preparing for coalition negotiations that will determine who governs Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni. According to Daily Maverick, the parties have just two weeks to form these coalitions after the Democratic Alliance emerged as the leading party in all three Gauteng metros without securing an outright majority. This electoral outcome has set the stage for crucial talks, with ActionSA positioned as a potentially decisive player whose support will influence which political formation can secure enough backing to govern.

The ANC’s National Executive Committee is expected to meet on Thursday, 12 November, to deliberate on the election results and provide direction on the party’s coalition strategy. Daily Maverick reported that the party’s National Working Committee met on Monday to assess the outcome and recommended that the NEC concentrate on establishing a framework for negotiations rather than conducting a wider post-election review. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula leads the ANC’s coalition task team, which includes ministers Parks Tau, Enoch Godongwana, and Gwede Mantashe. The party is reportedly weighing three approaches: a formal coalition with the DA, a broader arrangement involving ActionSA and other parties, or an agreement where the two parties govern independently in their respective strongholds while supporting each other’s administrations.

Internal resistance to an ANC-DA arrangement persists, with Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi describing the DA as “anti-transformation” and the ANC Youth League viewing right-wing parties as a no-go area. Meanwhile, the DA’s Federal Executive met earlier in the week to consolidate its approach, indicating a preference for partners committed to clean government and the rule of law. DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis stated that the party has prepared detailed coalition frameworks, including a Government of Local Unity model intended to provide broader political support in hung municipalities.

ActionSA has engaged several parties, including the EFF, MK, and Rise Mzansi. Leader Herman Mashaba proposed to the DA that he withdraw from the Johannesburg mayoral race if DA candidate Helen Zille steps aside, allowing the DA to nominate an alternative candidate supported by ActionSA. In Tshwane, Mashaba proposed that DA candidate Cilliers Brink relinquish his council seat in exchange for DA support for ActionSA’s mayoral candidate, Dr Nasiphi Moya. The DA and ActionSA are expected to meet on Thursday to discuss these proposals, with discussions with the ANC anticipated after the NEC meeting concludes.