“A Social Research Foundation survey conducted with The Common Sense found that approximately 70% of respondents supported ANC–DA cooperation in municipalities where neither party wins an outright majority, while 30% opposed the proposed arrangement. The findings suggest that many voters are open to coalition government as a way to promote stability, although the poll does not establish that every coalition would perform effectively or that the same preferences will translate directly into votes.”
South Africa’s Coalition Debate: Public Opinion Signals a Demand for Political Stability Ahead of the 2026 Local Elections
Voters signal openness to ANC–DA municipal cooperation
South Africa’s political landscape is entering a decisive period as voters prepare for the November 2026 local government elections. New polling indicating widespread support for cooperation between the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance has placed coalition government at the centre of the national political debate. The findings suggest that many voters are willing to consider cooperation between parties with different political traditions when neither can secure an outright majority.
According to reporting published by The Common Sense on 20 October, the Social Research Foundation survey found that 68% of respondents supported an ANC–DA coalition in municipalities where the two parties could jointly command a majority. Approximately 30% opposed the proposal. Support was particularly strong among ANC supporters, 83% of whom favoured cooperation, while 77% of DA supporters also supported the arrangement.
The results offer an important indication of public attitudes towards political compromise. However, they should not be interpreted as proof that voters have abandoned their individual party preferences. Instead, the findings suggest that some South Africans distinguish between supporting a political party at the ballot box and accepting a coalition agreement after the election.
Understanding what the polling reveals
The survey was conducted by Victory Research on behalf of the Social Research Foundation and The Common Sense between 18 September and 12 October 2026. It involved 3,100 respondents who were screened for voter registration. Interviews were conducted telephonically using computer-assisted telephone interviewing, and the sample was weighted according to demographic characteristics of the registered electorate.
These details matter because public-opinion surveys provide estimates rather than a complete account of every eligible voter’s views. Although the sample is substantial, the findings remain dependent on the quality of the sampling process, the wording of questions, participation rates and the timing of interviews.
The question presented to respondents specifically described a situation in which no party secured a majority and the ANC and DA could form a coalition in the interests of stability. Consequently, the results measure support for that particular arrangement under those circumstances. They do not necessarily establish that respondents would support the same parties governing together under every possible political agreement.
Nevertheless, the results provide a useful snapshot of public attitudes as parties intensify their campaigns.
Why coalition government has become an important issue
South Africa’s political system increasingly requires parties to negotiate when election results do not produce a clear majority. Municipal councils must elect leadership, approve budgets, oversee administration and make decisions about service delivery. When no party controls enough seats, coalition agreements can determine whether these responsibilities proceed smoothly.
Coalitions can create opportunities for parties to combine their strengths, share responsibilities and negotiate policy compromises. However, they can also introduce uncertainty when partners disagree over leadership positions, spending priorities or political accountability.
For residents, the practical consequences can be significant. Municipal government is responsible for essential services, including water provision, electricity distribution within municipal responsibilities, refuse collection, roads and local planning. Political disagreements that prevent councils from making decisions can therefore affect communities far beyond the municipal chamber.
Public support for ANC–DA cooperation may reflect a desire to reduce the uncertainty associated with divided councils. Yet the poll does not directly prove that service delivery concerns caused respondents to favour this arrangement. Establishing voters’ motivations would require more detailed evidence about their priorities and expectations.
The Government of National Unity provides a reference point
The national Government of National Unity, formed after the 2024 general election, provides an important context for understanding the debate. Cooperation between parties that previously competed against one another has become part of South Africa’s governing experience.
The possibility of applying a similar model in municipalities raises questions about whether national political cooperation can translate into effective local administration.
National and municipal government, however, operate under different conditions. A national agreement can bring parties together around broad policy commitments, while municipalities must address specific local challenges, manage budgets and respond to residents’ immediate needs.
A coalition that works in one municipality may not succeed in another. Differences in council composition, local political relationships, administrative capacity and financial circumstances can influence whether cooperation produces practical results.
For that reason, public support for coalition government should be understood as an expression of political preference, not a guarantee of administrative success.
The latest polling also indicates that attitudes towards the national GNU are not uniformly positive. The wider survey reported by The Common Sense found that 50% of respondents believed the GNU was working well, while 40% said it was working poorly. These findings suggest that support for political cooperation can coexist with dissatisfaction about governing performance.
What the findings mean for the ANC
For the ANC, the survey presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Strong support for cooperation among its own supporters suggests that many are comfortable with the idea of working alongside a traditional political rival when the electoral arithmetic requires it.
This could provide political room for negotiations after the election. Rather than treating cooperation with the DA as unacceptable, ANC leaders may be able to present a coalition as a practical means of securing governing authority and pursuing agreed priorities.
However, coalition negotiations would also require the ANC to balance competing considerations. Party supporters may expect the organisation to preserve its policy commitments, maintain its identity and demonstrate that cooperation produces tangible benefits.
The party must also consider how voters judge its performance independently of its coalition partners. An agreement that fails to improve municipal administration could expose the ANC to criticism, while a successful partnership might demonstrate its ability to negotiate and govern under changed political circumstances.
The polling alone cannot determine which outcome is more likely.
Implications for the Democratic Alliance
The DA also faces important strategic questions. Support for cooperation among its voters suggests that at least some of its supporters are willing to accept partnerships with the ANC where necessary.
For the DA, entering a coalition could offer an opportunity to influence municipal budgets, administration and service-delivery priorities in councils where it lacks an outright majority. Such participation might also allow the party to demonstrate how its policies operate in practice.
Nevertheless, cooperation can create political risks. Voters who support the DA because they oppose ANC policies may question agreements that appear to compromise those positions. The party would therefore need to explain clearly which commitments it considers non-negotiable and how it intends to measure the success of any partnership.
The same challenge applies to the ANC. Both organisations would need to show that cooperation serves residents rather than simply securing political positions.
The significance of local accountability
Beyond the fortunes of individual parties, the survey raises a broader question about democratic accountability. Coalition government can encourage negotiation, but effective accountability requires that residents understand who is responsible for particular decisions.
When several parties share power, disagreements can make it difficult for voters to identify which partner should be held accountable for a policy failure. Conversely, transparent agreements can make responsibilities clearer by setting out shared objectives, administrative arrangements and mechanisms for resolving disputes.
Municipal coalitions would benefit from publishing their agreements, explaining budget priorities and reporting regularly on progress. Public participation should also remain central to decisions affecting neighbourhoods and communities.
These practices could help ensure that political cooperation does not become detached from the needs of residents.
Public opinion is not an election result
The polling arrives at a time when political competition remains fluid. A separate report published by The Common Sense on 19 October placed national support for the ANC at 32%, the DA at 26%, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party at 12% and the Economic Freedom Fighters at 8%. The publication cautioned that polling represents a snapshot rather than a forecast.
National party support and municipal election outcomes are not interchangeable. Voters may make different choices depending on the municipality, the candidates, local issues and their assessment of previous council performance.
Moreover, an expressed willingness to support a coalition does not necessarily indicate how someone will vote. Respondents may favour cooperation in principle while choosing a different party at the ballot box.
The eventual distribution of council seats will therefore remain crucial. Coalition negotiations can only take place within the political and legal framework established by the election results.
What happens next?
As election day approaches, parties will need to communicate their positions on coalition arrangements and explain what residents can expect if negotiations become necessary. Voters, meanwhile, will have an opportunity to evaluate not only party promises but also the credibility of proposed governing partnerships.
The most important test will be whether political agreements translate into measurable improvements in municipal performance. Reliable services, responsible spending, transparent administration and effective responses to community concerns will be more meaningful indicators of success than the announcement of a coalition alone.
Political parties should also recognise that support for cooperation does not remove ideological differences. Instead, it suggests that a substantial share of respondents considers joint government acceptable under specific circumstances.
That distinction is important in a democracy where competing parties must sometimes work together without surrendering their identities.
Conclusion: Stability must be demonstrated through results
The public-opinion findings published on 20 October 2026 provide an important indication of how South Africans are approaching the possibility of coalition government ahead of the local elections. The reported 68% support for ANC–DA cooperation suggests that many respondents are open to political compromise when neither party wins an outright majority.
However, the figures should not be mistaken for a direct prediction of election outcomes or proof that all voters prioritise stability above other concerns. The survey measures attitudes towards a specific proposal, and political preferences can change as campaigns develop.
Ultimately, any coalition’s legitimacy will depend on more than the parties involved. Residents will judge whether elected representatives work together effectively, manage public resources responsibly and improve the services on which communities depend.
For South Africa, the debate is therefore not simply about whether the ANC and DA should govern together. It is about whether political cooperation can produce accountable leadership and better municipal outcomes.
The November elections will determine the composition of local councils. The decisions made afterwards will show whether the public’s openness to cooperation can be converted into stable, effective government.
