PHALABORWA – Ba-Phalaborwa could be headed for a coalition government after the November 4 elections if the ANC fails to secure an outright majority.

ActionSA says it is prepared to enter into a coalition with other parties, while the DA says its position will depend on the election outcome and what will best serve the people of Phalaborwa.

ActionSA lists its conditions

Speaking to the Herald, ActionSA Member of Parliament Malebo Kobe, who serves on the water and sanitation portfolio, said the party was prepared to work with any political party that supported ethical leadership, rejected corruption and was committed to service delivery across all communities.

She said any potential coalition partner would also have to understand and support ActionSA’s position on illegal immigration and the enforcement of municipal by-laws.

As a party, we understand that the political landscape is different and coalition government is inevitable. We want to work with people who are going to abide by our conditions.

She said this included equal service delivery across all communities, enforcing municipal by-laws and prioritising South Africans in local communities and the economy.

“We don’t want people who will focus on affluent communities only, but serve all communities,” she said.

Kobe was speaking during ActionSA’s visit to Mashishimale on Saturday, October 3, where the party announced its mayoral candidate, David Nthoke, and 19 ward councillor candidates.

DA to wait for the results

DA political head of the Olifants constituency, Marie Helm, said the party would only be able to determine whether it would enter into a coalition after the election results were known. “Our main focus has always been, and will continue to be, how best we can serve the people of Phalaborwa,” Helm said.

Mayoral candidate pitches local roots

Nthoke, who was born and raised in Namakgale Zone B, is a community leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

“My vision is simple: taps that work, roads that are passable, clean streets, reliable basic services, businesses that can grow, young people with opportunities, and a municipality where every rand is accounted for,” he said.

“When I speak about broken taps, broken roads, joblessness and failing services, I am not speaking from a report. I live with these problems, my neighbours live with these problems, and our families live with these problems every day,” he said.