- The ANC remains the biggest party nationally, while the DA leads in five metros and MK leads in eThekwini.
- New councils must meet within the legal deadline to elect their leadership, even while parties negotiate governing agreements.
South Africans have cast their votes. Now political parties must turn the election results into functioning councils, and agreements on who will govern.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) declared the local government elections free and fair on Sunday, 8 November. Chairperson Mosotho Moepya reported turnout of 52%, compared with 45.9% in 2021.
According to the figures in his official declaration, the ANC received 30.89% of the national vote, followed by the DA on 24.60%. MK received 9.61%, the EFF 6.25% and ActionSA 5.68%.
But the national standings do not decide who runs each municipality. That battle depends on the seats parties hold in individual councils and the support they can secure from other councillors.
The DA won an outright majority in Cape Town and finished first in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Nelson Mandela Bay. It fell short of an outright majority in those four councils, according to The Citizen’s metro results roundup.
MK finished first in eThekwini without securing an outright majority. The ANC remained the largest party in Buffalo City and Mangaung, also without outright majorities.
That leaves parties facing negotiations over mayors, other leadership positions and the policies their councils will support.
A hung council means no party holds more than half the seats. Parties can combine their support to elect leaders and pass decisions. Coming first does not automatically guarantee a party the mayor’s office: other parties can unite behind a different candidate. (
The next formal step is the first council meeting.
Under the Municipal Structures Act, the municipal manager must convene that meeting within 14 days after the council has been declared elected. If there is no municipal manager, the provincial MEC responsible for local government designates someone to do so.
Councillors elect the Speaker and other political office-bearers, including the mayor or executive mayor, depending on the municipality’s system. Voters therefore elect councillors, who then elect the municipal leadership.
Coalition talks do not suspend these deadlines. Government’s transition guidelines say councils must establish their governing structures within the timeframes prescribed by law, regardless of the political arrangements parties reach.
Any coalition agreement must also comply with the Constitution and municipal legislation. Parties cannot use a political deal to override the rules governing council decisions and public money.
For residents, services must continue during the changeover.
Municipal managers and their administrations remain responsible for keeping operations running while the new political leadership takes shape. Cooperative Governance Deputy Minister Namane Dickson Masemola has assured residents that key municipal operations will continue during the transition.
There is also unfinished electoral business. The IEC announced a revote at Jabulani Community Hall in Ward 3 of Siyancuma Municipality in the Northern Cape after ballot papers were destroyed before counting.
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged incoming councillors to start serving their communities immediately, listen to residents and respond honestly to their needs.
Winning leadership positions is only the beginning. Governing arrangements must also provide enough support to pass budgets and municipal policies — the decisions that determine how councils serve their communities.
