The MKP won the most votes in every North Coast municipality, yet could find itself completely shut out of power.

uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) emerged as the largest party in all four local municipalities in the iLembe District – KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo and Ndwedwe – as well as eThekwini, which includes Tongaat, Umdloti, Westbrook and surrounding areas.

Despite its strong performance in its debut municipal election, the MKP failed to secure an outright majority in any of the five councils and will need coalition partners to govern.

Its most straightforward route to power would be a partnership with the African National Congress (ANC). Together, the parties would hold a comfortable majority in all five councils. Provincial leaders of both parties have indicated they would be open to potential coalition partners under the right circumstances.

Another possibility is a partnership with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), given that Democratic Alliance (DA) provincial leader Sithembiso Ngema has explicitly ruled out working with the MKP.

An MKP-IFP coalition would secure a majority in Mandeni, Maphumulo and Ndwedwe. In eThekwini, it would also need the support of ActionSA and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), while in KwaDukuza those parties and the Independent Alliance (IA) would be required.

Without the support of the ANC, DA or IFP, Mandeni appears to offer the MKP its only viable route to power, through a partnership with the EFF.

But the MKP could also be excluded from government altogether.

An ANC-DA-IFP coalition, reflecting the existing relationship between the parties in KwaZulu-Natal’s government of provincial unity, could secure majorities in KwaDukuza and Ndwedwe.

In Maphumulo, where the DA won no seats, the ANC and IFP together would have enough seats to govern.

In eThekwini, an ANC-DA-IFP coalition would need three additional seats, which could come from ActionSA, with its seven seats, or a combination of smaller parties.

Mandeni presents a more complicated picture. An ANC-DA-IFP coalition would need the EFF’s single seat to secure a majority, but Ngema has also ruled out working with that party.

With coalition negotiations under way, the MKP has yet to indicate which partnerships it will pursue.

“We are very grateful for the support and trust we received from the people of iLembe,” said MKP iLembe deputy region convenor Ntombifuthi Zulu.

She said the party was awaiting direction from its national and provincial leadership on possible coalition agreements.

DA federal council chairperson Ashor Sarupen said negotiations would focus on forming governments with parties that shared its principles.

“Our objective is to establish stable, effective governments that put residents first, restore accountability and deliver the services communities deserve,” said Sarupen.

The IFP has established a coalition negotiating team, led by national chairperson Blessed Gwala, following a national executive committee meeting on Monday.

IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said coalition agreements would be guided by the party’s commitment to stable governance, improved service delivery and financial accountability.

“Our overriding consideration will always be the interests of the communities we are entrusted to serve, rather than the pursuit of political positions for their own sake,” said Hlengwa.

He said coalition discussions would be co-ordinated nationally to ensure a consistent approach across municipalities.

ANC General Gizenga Mpanza regional co-ordinator Lucky Makhathini said the party was satisfied with its performance, although it had fallen short of its expectations.

“We did not do as well as we would have liked, but we have made progress. In 2024, we received 17% of the vote, and we are now above 20%. It may be a small increase, but it shows that we are moving in the right direction,” said Makhathini.

On possible coalition talks in KwaDukuza, he confirmed that the ANC had started engaging other political parties.

“We are engaging everyone because what we want is stability and a government that works for the people. We are willing to work with parties that put the interests of communities first,” he said.

“We acknowledge that there have been shortcomings in service delivery, and we know we could have done better. We have identified those challenges and are working to address them,” said Makhathini.

The newly elected councils are expected to hold their first sittings next week, when each will elect a speaker and mayor.