“It was a difficult process. The last 12 odd days [of coalition negotiations] have been a nightmare,” ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said as he explained the delays in the negotiations. This was a sentiment shared by the parties’ leaders.

This coalition will rule the capital city with an agreement between six parties. The multi-party government also took over Johannesburg among several municipalities but failed to seal a deal in Ekurhuleni.

Mashaba said he was happy with the multi-party coalition.

Earlier in the middle of the talks, he was unhappy after the DA did not support him in the Johannesburg mayor runner-up. He also has no executive position.

“This coalition is going to make sure that by 2024 the ANC will be out of government. That is something we really have to work towards,” he said.

“It is up to political leaders to make sure that they create a better future for our children.”

Mashaba said there was a hard time ahead for the mayors taking over the metros, which face unemployment, financial constraints and backlog in infrastructure and human settlement development.

DA leader John Steenhuisen said the coalition government agreement was built on values, principles and positions that were last in their commitment.

He described their agreement as “a great Christmas present” for residents.

“If you take a look at the agreements signed today there is a common thread: the people come first.”

He said the negotiations were not easy and were challenging.

“I think if we can build on this spirit of give-and-take and compromise then I think we have taken those first steps towards unseating the ANC in 2024.”

The parties’ aim at defeating the ANC in 2024 nationally also depended on the coalition partners’ ability to lead a stable working relationship, Steenhuisen said.

The agreement was signed on the day before Reconciliation Day (December 16). Steenhuisen said it was a mark of unity.

“This shows that parties can find each other in bringing a stable and accountable government.”

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FF Plus MP Dr Pieter Groenewald said the agreements marked a “new era” in the country’s democracy.

“We must put the interest of the electorate first.”

Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota said the coalition government should be rooted in the people’s needs.

“We must go and do what the people want and we must continue to ask what they want now because the money paid for tax is theirs. Many people seek education for their children irrespective of colour, homes and work.”