What does a two-thirds majority mean? Explainer for Ekurhuleni, Joburg South residents
Ekurhuleni needs 113 votes for a budget and 150 for a two-thirds majority, while Johannesburg needs 136 and 180 respectively.
When councillors raise their hands in the chamber, not every vote carries the same weight. Some decisions need only a handful of ‘yes’ votes. Others need a big chunk of the whole council.
Three levels of majority
Majority of votes cast: For ordinary council meetings, the side with more votes among those present wins.
Majority of all members (50% plus one): Under Section 160 of the Constitution, the big-ticket items need the support of more than half of all councillors, whether they show up or not.
These are by-laws, budgets, rates and taxes, and loans. Absent councillors effectively count as ‘no’ votes.
• Two-thirds of all councillors: This is the highest bar. Under Section 34 of the Municipal Structures Act, a council can dissolve itself only if at least two-thirds of its councillors vote for it. This can happen only at a meeting called specifically for that purpose, and only once two years have passed since the last local election.
Dissolving a council throws out every councillor and forces fresh elections, so the law demands near-consensus.
The City of Ekurhuleni
The City of Ekurhuleni council has 224 seats. To pass a budget, a party or coalition needs 113 councillors in its corner.
That is why coalition deals matter so much at the Civic Centre in Germiston. A party that falls short has to win over smaller parties just to keep services funded. For a two-thirds vote, the magic number is 150.
That means councillors across the political divide must agree, so no single party or bloc can force it.
The City of Johannesburg
The City of Johannesburg council has 270 seats. A budget needs 136 votes. A two-thirds vote requires 180.
If a council is divided, getting 136 for a budget can be a fight. Reaching 180 to dissolve would take agreement from parties that rarely agree on anything.
Why it should matter to you
Your ward councillor’s vote counts in these meetings. When the budget decides whether your area’s roads, water and street lights get funded, every seat is a worthy vote.
Residents can attend council meetings, which are open to the public. Check who voted how, and ask your councillor why.
