# South Africa Enters Era of Coalition Governance Following ANC Electoral Setbacks

*News · World Desk · Published 2026-11-09T17:49:07Z*

Canonical: https://amk.news/article/south-africa-enters-era-of-coalition-governance-following-anc-electoral-setbacks

> The African National Congress has lost its majority in 138 municipal councils following the 2026 local government elections, forcing the party into complex power-sharing negotiations. Major political parties, including the DA, ActionSA, and the MK Party, are now maneuvering to secure control of South Africa's key metropolitan regions.

## Key points

- The African National Congress has lost its majority in 138 municipal councils following the 2026 local government elections in South Africa.
- The Democratic Alliance has successfully solidified its position in five of the nation's major metropolitan areas during the ongoing political realignment.
- The MK Party led by former President Jacob Zuma has emerged as a decisive power broker regarding the control of eThekwini.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged political leaders to prioritize the urgent need for service delivery over the pursuit of raw political power.

## Which political parties hold the balance of power in the 2026 local government elections?

The 2026 local government elections have fundamentally altered South Africa’s political landscape, leaving 138 municipal councils without a single party holding an outright majority. While the African National Congress (ANC) remains the largest party nationally, its diminished performance has ceded significant influence to opposition groups and emerging political forces. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has successfully solidified its position in five of the nation's major metropolitan areas, while the MK Party—led by former President Jacob Zuma—has emerged as a decisive power broker, particularly regarding the control of eThekwini. Meanwhile, smaller entities like the Makana United Civic Movement have unexpectedly found themselves in a position to influence local governance, forcing a shift away from single-party rule toward a fragmented coalition model.

## How are parties navigating the high-stakes coalition negotiations?

Formal coalition negotiations are currently underway as parties scramble to form stable administrations in the country's most critical economic hubs, particularly in Gauteng. The ANC is engaged in high-stakes talks with various partners, including ActionSA and the DA, to prevent the total loss of key municipalities. Internal tensions are high, as evidenced by the MK Party’s public declaration that it will not permit the DA to dictate terms for a potential alliance in eThekwini. These negotiations are occurring against a backdrop of public scrutiny, with observers noting that the lack of institutionalized rules for coalition-building is creating a transparency test for the involved parties. As the process unfolds, financial markets remain reactive, with the South African rand showing signs of stabilization linked to broader economic factors despite the ongoing political uncertainty.

_Cape Town (ZA), Parliament of South Africa -- 2024 -- 3484 (Image: Wikimedia Commons)_

_Watch: eNCA News Bite | IEC Election Results, ANC Losses and Coalition Talks | 9 November 2026 — eNCA_

> President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged political leaders to prioritize the urgent need for service delivery over the pursuit of raw political power during these critical coalition negotiations.

## Why is this shift in political power significant for South Africa?

For international readers, the 2026 elections represent a historic departure from the dominance the ANC has enjoyed since the end of apartheid. The shift toward coalition politics reflects growing voter dissatisfaction with the ruling party's handling of infrastructure, utility crises, and local governance. The resulting power vacuum has forced the nation into an untested governance structure where municipal budgets, waste management, and energy provision are now subject to the bargaining tables of rival ideologies. As the DA, ANC, ActionSA, and others weigh their options, the stability of South Africa's local government rests on their ability to form functional, long-term agreements that can survive the pressures of municipal administration.

_Cape Town (ZA), Parliament of South Africa -- 2024 -- 3487 (Image: Wikimedia Commons)_

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