2026 Elections | Coalition fever grips parties as hung municipalities pile up

The question of possible coalition talks has been a no-brainier as the counting of the votes in the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE) nears completion.

15.9 million South Africans made their mark in this week’s municipal polls, despite the more than 29 million people having registered to vote.

As political parties hold their breath and monitor the results closely, a number of organisations have made it clear that they are open to governing alongside other political parties.

The country already has more than 100 hung municipalities, where no single political party has secured an outright majority.

ActionSA National chairperson, Michael Beaumont, says the party has already approached the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) for coalition talks.

Speaking to YNews at the National Results Operation Centre (NROC) Beaumont says Action SA is willing to work with any political party, insisting that what matters is not the colour of the T-shirt, but the calibre of its leaders.

This marks a shift from ActionSA’s position after the 2021 municipal elections, when the party emerged as a kingmaker but was firm about which parties it would not enter into coalitions with.

Beaumont expressed that the party is now older and wiser as it navigates the post-election political landscape.

DA Leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, has also thrown the party’s name into the mix for coalition talks, saying it will approach negotiations with respect and humility.

Hill-Lewis says the party has established itself as a mainstream political force, adding that it has secured the support of one million black voters nationally.

“Whether you are black, white, Indian or coloured, the DA is a mainstream party. We are the only party that is truly for all people in South Africa.”

Rise Mzansi leader, Songezo Zibi, has echoed these sentiments, saying the party is also prepared to engage with all political parties.

However, Zibi says any potential coalition partners must align with the party’s governance commitments, which include reliable infrastructure, dignity in every ward, safe streets, clean governance, spatial justice and a living city.

He says the coming days should be focused on the future of the country’s cities, towns and villages.

“We are happy with the outcome thus far, particularly in Gauteng. We will be represented in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Mogale City and Ekurhuleni. We have also made marginal but important inroads in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo.

“Our message was not just about how we repair and rebuild our towns, cities and villages, but our campaign was equally about who the new ethical and caring leaders are behind this important responsibility of ensuring that our communities are safe, clean and prosperous.”

The IEC is expected to announce the final results on Sunday.

Political parties and independent candidates had until close of business today to submit objections or complaints relating to the election results.

2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS | AFTERNOON UPDATE

📱 IEC Mobile App: Download on your phone and open the app to navigate to the election results section.

🌐 IEC Results Dashboard: Visit https://t.co/WtypsWfCT1 to follow results as they become available.

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— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) November 6, 2026

Written by: Lindiwe Mpanza