Shivhambu’s Pact: Afrika Mayibuye joins ANC, DA Excluded

The political landscape of South Africa is rapidly shifting following last month’s local government elections, resulting in a significant number of “hung municipalities” across the country.

Sixteen municipalities in the Western Cape, along with at least thirteen others nationally, remain without a clear majority government, creating a complex and potentially unstable situation for the country’s future.

These municipalities, as of November 15, 2026, are currently governed by a coalition of parties, with negotiations ongoing to establish stable governing bodies.

Following these elections, the Afrika Mayibuye Movement, a relatively new political party, has emerged as a key player in these negotiations.

Leader Floyd Shivhambu announced a coalition agreement with the African National Congress (ANC) for several of these hung municipalities, a move predicated on the exclusion of the Democratic Alliance (DA).

According to Shivhambu, the agreement was reached with the aim of establishing stable councils capable of serving their full term.

The ANC has been engaged in intensive talks with numerous parties since Saturday, attempting to secure enough support to form governing coalitions in the 137 hung councils nationwide.

However, the ANC’s approach is not without its caveats.

Shivhambu indicated a specific rejection of an ANC coalition in Emfuleni, a municipality in the Vaal region, citing the ANC’s perceived failure to adequately address the needs of its residents.

The Afrika Mayibuye Movement, which secured council seats in seven provinces, has positioned itself as a crucial “kingmaker” in several councils, particularly in Limpopo, the Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga.

Meanwhile, the ANC in the Western Cape is adopting a more centralized strategy, stating that decisions regarding coalition negotiations will ultimately be dictated by the national party leadership.

Spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni emphasized that a team led by Provincial Coordinator Thandi Manikivana-Makasi is engaged in preliminary “talks about talks” with various parties, but that all final decisions will be made at the national level.

The 16 hung municipalities in the Western Cape face a tight 14-day window to conclude these negotiations, a period that will undoubtedly be fraught with political maneuvering and strategic considerations.

The situation highlights the challenges facing South Africa’s governing parties as they attempt to form stable coalitions in the wake of a fractured electoral result.

The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the country’s economic and social development, and the stability of local government.

The reliance on smaller parties like the Afrika Mayibuye Movement underscores the need for a broader understanding of the diverse needs and concerns of South Africa’s electorate.

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