Understanding coalition government and what it means for our community
As South Africa prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections, understanding coalition government can help residents know how councils are formed, how decisions are made and what it could mean for local services.
With South Africa’s Local Government Elections scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, coalition government is a subject that many voters will hear about more often. But what does a coalition government actually mean for an ordinary resident?
In simple terms, a coalition happens when no single political party wins more than half of the seats in a legislature or municipal council.
Two or more parties or independent representatives then have to work together to form a government and support important decisions.
According to the South African Government, at the municipal level, coalition partners may work together to elect a mayor and other executive members and to support decisions such as the municipal budget and policies.
What does a coalition look like?
Imagine a municipal council with 10 seats. If Party A wins four seats, Party B wins three seats, Party C wins two seats and Party D wins one seat, no party has the five seats needed for a majority.
The parties therefore have to negotiate and find enough support to form a governing arrangement. This does not mean that the parties suddenly agree on everything.
They may agree on a mayor, a budget or certain municipal priorities while still disagreeing on other issues.
The important point is that the numbers in the council matter. A mayor needs the support of a majority of councillors to be elected, and the council can remove executive leadership.
Why does this matter to residents?
Coalition politics can sound like something that happens only inside council chambers. In reality, municipal decisions can affect everyday life.
Municipalities are responsible for important local functions, including areas such as water, sanitation, electricity, refuse removal, planning and municipal finances.
This is why disagreements between political parties can become community issues. If political disagreements prevent a council from making decisions, approving budgets, or functioning properly, municipal administration and service delivery can suffer.
The South African Government’s coalition information shared that weak coalition partnerships can lead to conflict, delayed decisions, and councils focusing on political disputes instead of governance and service delivery.
Coalition government is not new
Coalitions are not a new feature of South African democracy. According to the South African Government, the first democratic national government after the 1994 election was a broad-based Government of National Unity.
Coalitions have also existed at provincial and municipal level. Coalition politics became particularly important after the 2016 and 2021 local government elections, when an increasing number of municipalities had so-called ‘hung councils’.
This means that no single party won a majority of council seats. After the 2021 elections, approximately 70 councils had no single-party majority and therefore required coalitions.
The number can change as a result of by-elections and changes in council composition. The 2026 Local Government Elections therefore take place against a backdrop in which coalition government is already an important part of local politics.
What should voters look for?
For residents, coalition government is not only about which parties work together. It is also about whether the municipality can function properly and deliver services.
Voters can ask whether there is a clear coalition agreement and whether the parties have explained what they have agreed to do.
They can also ask who is accountable for decisions, whether the council is functioning properly and able to approve budgets, whether basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity and refuse removal are being delivered, whether municipal finances are being managed responsibly and whether residents are given opportunities to raise concerns and ask questions through ward meetings and public participation.
Why the voter still matters
Although political parties negotiate coalition agreements, residents still have an important role after election day. The South African Government stated that coalition governments remain accountable to voters and residents and should involve the public in decision-making.
Simply put, when no party has enough seats to govern alone, parties must find a way to work together. If they can cooperate, the council can continue its work. If disagreements cause instability, residents may feel the effects through delays in decisions and service delivery.
• Source of Information
This information is based mainly on the South African Government’s official information on coalition governments, including its National Dialogue on Coalition Governments – Questions and Answers on Coalition Governments, prepared by Professor Jaap de Visser of the Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape.
Information on the 2026 elections and the Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, 2026, is based on official South African Government and Parliament information.
