“South Africa faces growing governance challenges as the November 4, 2026, local government elections are expected to produce more hung municipalities and coalition administrations, raising concerns about political instability, accountability and service delivery. Parliament’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Portfolio Committee chairperson, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has warned political parties to prioritise municipal stability, public accountability and service delivery over political power struggles.”
Coalition Governments Could Deepen Municipal Governance Challenges After South Africa’s 2026 Local Elections
South Africa is approaching a critical moment in its democratic governance as the country prepares for the November 4, 2026, local government elections. Political parties are campaigning across municipalities amid growing public dissatisfaction with unemployment, deteriorating infrastructure, unreliable water supplies, electricity challenges and declining confidence in local government institutions. However, beyond the electoral contest, another significant governance challenge is emerging: the increasing likelihood that municipalities will be governed through coalition arrangements rather than single-party majorities.
Dr Zweli Mkhize, chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, has warned that coalition governments could create additional difficulties for municipalities following the elections. His concerns reflect a broader national debate about political stability, institutional accountability and the ability of municipal administrations to deliver essential services.
The warning comes at a time when South Africa is preparing for another potentially fragmented electoral outcome, making coalition governance an increasingly important issue for the country’s democratic future.
Coalition Governance Becomes a Central Political Challenge
Coalition governments have become an increasingly prominent feature of South African politics, particularly in municipalities where no political party secures an outright majority. Following the 2016 local government elections, 27 municipalities experienced hung councils. The number increased substantially to 82 after the 2021 elections.
Mkhize believes the November 2026 elections could produce an even greater number of hung municipalities, making coalition arrangements an essential component of local government administration.
According to his assessment, political parties must prepare for a governance environment in which negotiating agreements, maintaining political relationships and establishing administrative stability become increasingly important.
The growing fragmentation of the electorate is also creating new political realities. The African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters and uMkhonto weSizwe, alongside numerous smaller political parties, are competing for influence across municipalities.
Reuters reported on November 2 that the elections could further fragment South Africa’s political landscape, increasing the likelihood of coalition negotiations in major metropolitan areas.
Consequently, political parties must increasingly demonstrate their ability to cooperate with other organisations while maintaining their policy commitments and electoral promises.
Political Instability and Municipal Administration
One of the most significant governance concerns associated with coalition governments is political instability.
In several municipalities, coalition arrangements have experienced repeated disagreements, leadership changes and disputes over executive positions. These developments have sometimes resulted in municipalities changing mayors, speakers and other political office-bearers multiple times during a single council term.
Such instability can weaken administrative continuity and undermine public confidence in municipal institutions.
When political parties prioritise negotiations over administrative responsibilities, municipal departments may experience uncertainty regarding leadership, strategic direction and decision-making.
Municipal officials are expected to implement policies, manage budgets and maintain infrastructure regardless of political disagreements. However, repeated changes in political leadership can complicate these responsibilities.
The result may be delays in implementing development programmes, difficulties approving budgets and reduced capacity to address residents’ concerns.
Political instability also affects municipal planning because infrastructure projects frequently require several years of consistent implementation.
Coalition governments therefore face the challenge of maintaining political cooperation while ensuring that municipal administrations remain functional and professionally managed.
Service Delivery Remains the Main Governance Priority
South Africa’s municipal governance challenges are closely connected to service delivery.
Residents across the country continue to demand reliable water supplies, electricity infrastructure, functioning roads, sanitation services, waste collection and improved public spaces.
These responsibilities form the foundation of local government administration and directly influence citizens’ perceptions of political leadership.
Reuters reported on November 2 that water shortages, unemployment, crime and housing affordability are among the major issues influencing voters ahead of the municipal elections.
Municipal infrastructure problems have become particularly important in metropolitan areas experiencing rapid population growth and increasing demand for essential services.
Johannesburg, Tshwane and eThekwini face significant infrastructure maintenance and service delivery pressures.
In Johannesburg, water losses associated with ageing infrastructure, leaks and illegal connections remain a substantial challenge. Meanwhile, municipalities across the country must address financial constraints, maintenance backlogs and growing urbanisation.
These challenges require consistent leadership, effective planning and coordinated administration.
Mkhize’s warning about coalition governance therefore highlights the importance of ensuring that political negotiations do not interfere with municipal responsibilities.
Coalition partners must understand that their primary responsibility is to residents rather than political competition.
The Coalition Bill and Institutional Reform
South Africa has been considering legislative reforms intended to improve coalition governance and reduce instability within municipalities.
The proposed Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, frequently described as the Coalition Bill, seeks to establish clearer rules governing political cooperation in hung councils.
Among its proposed provisions are compulsory coalition agreements, improved transparency and restrictions on certain motions of no confidence against municipal office-bearers.
The legislation is intended to reduce political instability by establishing more predictable governance arrangements.
Coalition agreements would be required to outline the responsibilities and commitments of participating political parties. These agreements would also be made publicly accessible, strengthening accountability and transparency.
However, the legislation has encountered delays.
TimesLIVE reported on October 12 that the bill would not become law before the November 2026 local government elections.
The delay means newly elected municipal councils may initially operate without the proposed legislative framework.
Consequently, political parties will need to negotiate coalition agreements while relying on existing legal provisions and municipal governance arrangements.
This situation increases the importance of political discipline, public scrutiny and responsible leadership.
Although legislation could improve governance, it cannot automatically eliminate disagreements between political parties or guarantee successful municipal administration.
Accountability and Public Confidence
Accountability remains one of the most important principles of democratic governance.
Municipal councillors are elected to represent residents and oversee the administration of local government institutions. Their responsibilities include monitoring municipal expenditure, evaluating service delivery and ensuring that public resources are used appropriately.
However, coalition arrangements can complicate accountability when political parties disagree about responsibility for administrative failures.
Residents may struggle to identify which coalition partner should be held accountable for particular decisions or shortcomings.
This challenge becomes particularly significant when political parties share executive responsibilities but publicly blame one another for municipal problems.
Transparent coalition agreements can help address this issue by identifying responsibilities, policy commitments and administrative priorities.
Political parties should also establish clear reporting mechanisms through which residents can monitor municipal performance.
Regular public meetings, accessible municipal information and effective oversight committees can strengthen democratic accountability.
Ultimately, municipal governance must remain accountable to the communities that elected political representatives.
Financial Management and Municipal Sustainability
Financial sustainability is another important dimension of municipal governance.
Municipalities must collect revenue, manage expenditure, maintain infrastructure and provide services within available financial resources.
Poor financial management can undermine these responsibilities, particularly when municipalities accumulate unpaid obligations or fail to maintain adequate revenue collection systems.
Coalition instability may complicate financial management when political disagreements delay budget approvals or interrupt strategic planning.
Municipal budgets must support infrastructure maintenance, service delivery programmes and administrative operations.
Political leaders therefore have a responsibility to ensure that financial decisions are guided by long-term development priorities rather than short-term political considerations.
Effective municipal financial management also requires cooperation between political office-bearers and professional administrative officials.
Municipal managers, finance departments and other administrative structures must operate according to established financial regulations and accountability requirements.
Strengthening financial oversight will remain essential regardless of which political parties form municipal governments after the elections.
The Role of Political Parties in Building Stable Municipalities
Political parties will play a decisive role in determining whether coalition governments become effective instruments of democratic governance or sources of administrative instability.
Coalition partners must establish clear principles for cooperation, including commitments to service delivery, financial accountability and institutional continuity.
Negotiations should focus on policies and development priorities rather than simply distributing political positions.
Parties must also recognise that coalition governance requires compromise.
Political organisations with different ideological positions may need to cooperate on infrastructure development, municipal budgets and administrative reforms.
However, cooperation should not eliminate accountability.
Coalition partners must remain transparent about disagreements and ensure that political disputes do not prevent municipalities from fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities.
The public will increasingly evaluate political parties according to their ability to deliver measurable improvements in municipal administration.
Implications for the November 2026 Elections
The November 4 local government elections will determine the political leadership of municipalities across South Africa.
Their outcomes could significantly influence the country’s governance landscape over the coming years.
If the elections produce more hung councils, coalition negotiations will become an essential component of municipal administration.
Political parties will need to demonstrate greater maturity, transparency and commitment to institutional stability.
The elections also provide an opportunity for voters to evaluate the performance of existing municipal administrations and demand improvements in governance.
Residents are increasingly concerned about practical issues affecting their daily lives, including water availability, electricity reliability, housing, employment and public safety.
Consequently, political parties must demonstrate credible plans for addressing these challenges.
The ability to establish stable municipal coalitions could become an important factor determining whether elected administrations successfully implement their development programmes.
Conclusion
South Africa’s approaching local government elections are highlighting the growing importance of coalition governance in the country’s democratic system.
Dr Zweli Mkhize’s warning that coalition governments could pose additional challenges for municipalities reflects concerns about political instability, administrative continuity and service delivery.
The increasing number of hung municipalities means political parties must prepare for a governance environment requiring cooperation, compromise and transparent agreements.
Although coalition arrangements can create difficulties, they also provide opportunities for broader political participation and shared responsibility.
Their success will depend on whether political parties prioritise residents’ interests over internal disagreements and competition for political positions.
The delayed Coalition Bill further emphasises the importance of responsible political leadership and institutional accountability.
Ultimately, South Africa’s municipal governance challenges cannot be resolved through political agreements alone. Sustainable improvements require competent administration, responsible financial management, effective oversight and consistent investment in infrastructure.
The November 2026 elections will therefore represent more than a contest for political power. They will provide an important test of whether South Africa’s political parties can build stable, accountable and service-oriented municipal governments capable of responding to the needs of communities across the country.
For residents, the central expectation remains straightforward: municipalities must function effectively, public resources must be managed responsibly and elected leaders must deliver meaningful improvements to people’s lives.
The future of local government will depend on whether political parties can translate electoral mandates and coalition agreements into practical results.
South Africa’s democratic institutions will be strengthened when political cooperation becomes a foundation for accountable governance rather than a source of instability.
