Since the advent of democracy in South Africa, local government elections have frequently resulted in ‘hung councils’. Beukes and de Visser (2021), define a hung council as one where ‘no political party wins more than 50% of the seats in the municipal council, making the formation of a coalition or minority government inevitable’. This reality has sparked crucial discussions centred around the need for clear regulations around coalitions, a topic that’s now more relevant now than ever.
In his response to Oral Questions from the National Assembly on 23 May 2023, Deputy President Paul Mashatile highlighted the significance of coalition governments. He stressed the “need to convene a national dialogue on coalitions”, particularly to address the dysfunctionality of municipalities due to the absence of a regulatory framework guiding coalitions. This call to action culminated in the National Dialogue on Coalitions held at the University of the Western Cape between 4 to 5 August 2024. The dialogue aimed to achieve consensus on a framework to govern coalitions in South Africa, at both national and local government levels; appreciate existing domestic and global experiences on coalition governments; and develop a process towards establishing coalition framework and legislation.
The Sustainable Development Goals Initiative (SDGi) in South Africa supported the National Dialogue, both before and after the event. This support involved: facilitating the appointment of scribing services to capture and document the proceedings and outcomes of the National Dialogue; appointing a team of facilitators to ensure smooth conduct and positive outcomes; and contracting experts to synthesise existing research on coalition governments, address identified gaps and develop a discussion document and a policy position to inform the development of national legislation.
As a result, a Draft Coalitions Framework for South Africa was produced by Professor Susan Booysen and Professor Jaap de Visser, to assist in outlining the options for regulation and fostering of constructive practice in future coalition government practice in the country. As South Africa navigates this pivotal moment in its political landscape, the conversation about coalition governments is just beginning, more so on a national level, with the recently established Government of National Unity (GNU).
To read the Coalitions Framework click here: A Coalitions Framework for South Africa