South Africa parties urged to pass coalition bill
Parliament must approve the Municipal Structures Amendment Bill to bring order to hung councils after the 2026 elections.
South African parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) are urged to unite and pass the proposed Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, also known as the coalition bill. This legislation aims to establish order, improve governance, and create more stable coalitions in municipalities. The bill was intended for adoption before the November 4, 2026 elections but remains unfinalised due to disagreements.
The GNU partners have an opportunity to collectively navigate this significant legislation through Parliament, marking their first joint bill. Following the November 4, 2026 elections, South Africa anticipates a record number of 'hung councils' where no single party holds a majority, necessitating the formation of municipal coalitions without a pre-existing governance framework.
Past municipal governance has been marked by instability, frequent ousting of mayors, conflicts between managers and councils, and small parties holding coalitions hostage. The coalition bill is considered critical for fostering accountable, functional, and stable municipalities.
Why it mattersSouth African citizens will be directly affected by the stability and functionality of their local governments, which are currently operating without a coalition governance framework.