ActionSA Leader Herman Mashaba Rules Out DA Coalition Alliance
South African political parties face a 14-day deadline to form stable municipal governments.
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1Tight Coalition Deadlines
South African political parties have only 14 calendar days to finalize coalition agreements following the 2026 local government elections. This strict legislative timeframe, mandated by the Municipal Structures Act, forces parties to negotiate rapidly across 139 councils. Most municipalities currently lack an outright majority, necessitating immediate power-sharing arrangements to establish functional local governance.
2ActionSA's Strategic Stance
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has publicly described the possibility of forming a coalition with the Democratic Alliance as very slim. The party, which secured 55 wards, currently acts as a kingmaker in key Gauteng metros. Mashaba indicated a potential willingness to collaborate with the ANC and smaller parties to secure governing majorities.
3Historical Political Friction
The strained relationship between Mashaba and DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille dates back to October 2019. This conflict originated following a panel report that led to the departure of former DA leader Mmusi Maimane. These personal tensions significantly complicate current negotiations, as both leaders struggle to find common ground for potential cooperation.
4Tshwane and Johannesburg Trade-offs
The DA holds the highest vote share in both Tshwane and Johannesburg, yet requires partners to govern. ActionSA seeks to retain Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya, who contributed to their 22.7% success in the capital. The DA must now decide whether to prioritize the Johannesburg mayoralty or concede ground to secure stability in Tshwane.
5Negotiating Programmatic Stability
ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont is leading coalition talks with a focus on written, programmatic agreements rather than mere position trading. The party aims to avoid the instability of narrow majorities, which previously led to chaotic budget approvals and attempts to remove municipal managers prematurely. They prioritize long-term governance over short-term political gains.
6Legislative Constraints on Governance
Section 29(2) of the Municipal Structures Act requires municipal managers to convene inaugural council meetings within 14 days of election results. Beaumont notes that this window is significantly shorter than international standards, which often allow months for negotiations. This pressure often forces parties to prioritize immediate power distribution over comprehensive policy planning.
7Defining Strong Majorities
Beaumont defines a stable coalition as one possessing a majority of 60% to 65%. Such margins are intended to prevent individual parties from collapsing the government by withdrawing support. Previous experiences, including instances of wheeling hospitalized councilors in to pass budgets, have informed the party's demand for more robust, inclusive governing coalitions.
8Transparency and Democratic Process
ActionSA emphasizes that coalition agreements must be made public to maintain democratic integrity. By formalizing these deals, the party hopes to prevent backroom negotiations from undermining the will of the 16 million voters. The ultimate goal is to transform election outcomes into tangible value for residents through stable, transparent, and accountable local administrations.
Original article: Daily Maverick — ActionSA Leader Herman Mashaba Rules Out DA Coalition Alliance