ANC NEC to decide Gauteng coalition strategy as DA to meet ActionSA

Detailed summary

As the clock ticks for parties to form coalitions in Gauteng’s three metros, where the DA received the most votes, the ANC’s top decision-making body will meet on Thursday. At the…

As the clock ticks for parties to form coalitions in Gauteng’s three metros, where the DA received the most votes, the ANC’s top decision-making body will meet on Thursday. At the same time, the DA and ActionSA will meet. The three parties will decide the fate of Joburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

The African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA are preparing for crucial coalition negotiations that will determine who governs Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. They have just two weeks to form them.

The DA emerged as the leading party in all three Gauteng metros, but failed to secure an outright majority, setting the stage for crucial coalition talks.

The results have left the ANC weighing whether to work with its national government partner or pursue alternative arrangements involving ActionSA and smaller parties. ActionSA, meanwhile, has appeared as a potentially decisive player, with its support likely to influence which political formation can secure enough backing to govern.

Amid this, a crucial meeting of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on Thursday, 12 November, is expected to provide direction on the party’s coalition strategy as negotiations gather pace across the province.

The DA secured the largest share of the vote across all three Gauteng metros, leaving the ANC facing the prospect of losing control of key municipalities.

The results leave the blue party with the possibility of forming a two-party coalition with either the ANC or ActionSA, depending on the negotiations and the support available from other parties.

The ANC has begun considering how it can retain political influence in the hung municipalities. Its National Working Committee (NWC) met on Monday to assess the election outcome and consider how the party could salvage influence from its losses. The NEC is expected to meet on Thursday to deliberate on the results and provide direction on the way forward.

Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula leads the ANC’s coalition…

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