Ramaphosa urges ANC leaders to explore Johannesburg coalition without the DA

President Cyril Ramaphosa has told ANC leaders to look at forming a coalition in Johannesburg without the Democratic Alliance. The suggestion came during Monday’s National Working Committee meeting and is adding momentum to calls inside the party to cut ties with its government of national unity partner in Gauteng.

Senior ANC figures welcomed the idea. Many have long been unhappy about working with the DA in the province’s big metros. The matter is now expected to come up at the National Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, where the party will decide how to approach coalition talks across the country after the recent local government elections.

In Johannesburg, the DA emerged as the biggest party with 34.8% of the vote and 91 seats. The ANC followed with 20.3% and 63 seats, while ActionSA took 16.3% and 43 seats. No party won an outright majority in the 270-seat council, so a coalition is needed to govern. A party needs 136 seats to control the city.

Gauteng ANC leaders have already indicated they want to work with ActionSA across all three metros – Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Insiders say this proposal received strong support at the National Working Committee meeting. While the ANC says it will still talk to the DA, many believe those discussions will be little more than a formality in Johannesburg.

The development highlights growing tension between the ANC and the DA. At national level the two parties are partners in the government of national unity, but relations are more strained in Gauteng. Some ANC members believe the party should avoid the DA where it can, especially in cities where other options exist.

Councils must hold their first meetings within 14 days of the election results being declared, so parties are under pressure to finalise agreements soon. The choice of partners will shape who becomes mayor and how the city is run in the months ahead.

For residents of Johannesburg, the outcome matters for service delivery, water, electricity and roads. Whether the ANC ultimately goes with ActionSA or still finds a way to work with the DA will decide who holds the balance of power in South Africa’s biggest city.

Source: https://x.com/TimesLIVE/status/2120502635803312257?a=snLonzCWLsrpq4wKC64&s=19

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