It’s Out Of Our Hands: Nono breaks Silence As North West ANC Awaits Thursday’s make-or-break Verdict

WATCh: ANC’s Nono Maloyi Breaks Silence on North West Coalition Plans as Party Awaits NEC Decision

The ANC in the North West is holding back on announcing its potential coalition partners, with provincial chairperson Nono Maloyi insisting that the party must first receive direction from its national leadership as political negotiations intensify following the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The African National Congress (ANC) in the North West has indicated that it will not rush into announcing provincial coalition arrangements until it receives clear guidance from the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which is expected to deliberate on the organisation’s coalition strategy on Thursday, 12 November.

Provincial chairperson Nono Maloyi says the party remains committed to following its established organisational structures, emphasising that the ANC is a unitary organisation whose provincial decisions must align with national policy and direction.

Maloyi’s remarks come at a critical moment for the governing party, which is facing significant electoral challenges following the 2026 local government elections. The results have altered the political landscape across South Africa, leaving several municipalities dependent on coalition arrangements to establish stable administrations.

Speaking about the way forward, Maloyi stressed that the North West ANC would await the NEC’s guidance before communicating which political formations it could potentially work with.

He maintained that the party’s approach to coalition governance would be guided by the broader interests of communities rather than political convenience or the pursuit of positions.

ANC Says Voters Have Called for Political Parties to Work Together

Maloyi acknowledged that the election results reflect a clear message from voters, who want political parties to move beyond political divisions and find common ground in addressing the country’s challenges.

According to the provincial chairperson, communities have effectively called on political organisations to work together, particularly where election outcomes have not given any single party an outright mandate to govern independently.

He indicated that the ANC recognises this message and is prepared to consider coalition arrangements with parties that demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving people’s lives.

However, the provincial leadership appears determined to ensure that any potential partnership is built around shared priorities, effective governance and tangible improvements in service delivery.

The ANC’s position suggests that coalition negotiations will not simply be about securing enough political support to control municipal councils. Instead, the party wants prospective partners to demonstrate that they can contribute meaningfully to addressing unemployment, poverty, deteriorating infrastructure and other pressing community concerns.

Electoral Setback Puts Pressure on ANC Leadership

The developments come after a difficult electoral performance for the ANC in the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Nationally, the party secured approximately 30.8% of the vote, representing a substantial decline from its 2021 local government election performance, when it received approximately 46%.

The outcome has significantly weakened the ANC’s position in several municipalities, forcing it to consider coalition arrangements to remain part of municipal administrations.

In the North West, the ANC’s support also fell below the 50% threshold for the first time in the province, according to reporting by SABC News.

The disappointing performance has intensified discussions about the party’s governance record, organisational weaknesses and its ability to restore public confidence.

Maloyi has previously acknowledged challenges affecting municipalities in the province, including electricity interruptions, water shortages and infrastructure deterioration.

These issues are particularly significant because service delivery remains one of the major concerns influencing voter behaviour across South Africa.

NEC Decision Expected to Shape Coalition Negotiations

The upcoming NEC meeting on Thursday is expected to provide an important framework for how the ANC approaches coalition negotiations across the country.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has indicated that the party intends to centralise its coalition strategy to avoid the instability associated with previous arrangements negotiated independently by different municipal structures.

The national leadership wants coalition discussions to follow a coordinated approach, ensuring that agreements are guided by common principles and a shared programme of action.

This means provincial and regional structures will have to operate within the broader direction established by the national leadership.

For the North West, this could prove particularly important as the ANC assesses its options in municipalities where it no longer has sufficient electoral support to govern without assistance from other political parties.

Service Delivery Remains the Biggest Priority

Beyond the political negotiations, the central question facing the ANC is whether potential coalition arrangements will translate into meaningful improvements for ordinary residents.

Communities across the North West continue to demand reliable water and electricity, better roads, employment opportunities, accountable leadership and functional municipalities.

Maloyi’s insistence that the ANC will only work with parties committed to improving people’s lives therefore places service delivery at the centre of the province’s coalition considerations.

Ultimately, the success of any coalition will depend not only on the number of councillors supporting an administration but also on its ability to deliver measurable results.

As political parties prepare for negotiations, the North West ANC appears willing to explore partnerships while remaining firmly guided by national leadership.

For now, Maloyi says the province will wait for the NEC’s direction before revealing its coalition partners.

The coming days could therefore prove decisive in determining the political future of several municipalities in the North West, as South Africa enters another important chapter in coalition governance.

Source https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/2119885428169777651?a=MWUrVxkAmI_WQxz2n0w&s=19

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