Abstract
Since the first local government elections in 2000, South Africa has habitually produced 'hung councils', where no political party wins more than 50% of the municipal seats. This chapter examines the 2021 coalition government in the City of Johannesburg and its democratic instability. The chapter argues that one of the factors contributing to this trend of instability in local government is the lack of a conducive environment in which coalition governments can thrive. It also examines coalition governments, taking into account existing theories of democratic principles and theories of coalition formation. The chapter outlines the findings that political ideological struggles and the lack of a conducive democratic environment underpinned the instability of the coalition government in the City of Johannesburg. The chapter also recommends mature coalition political leadership, collaborative governance and a legal framework to strengthen democratic principles in coalition governments.
TopIntroduction
South Africa is a constitutional democracy founded on the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law (Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, sec 1(c)). The Constitution is committed to democracy as demonstrated through the values of “universal adult suffrage, a national common voters’ roll, regular elections and a multiparty system of democratic government to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness” (Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, sec 1(d)). The South African government functions through a quasi-federal system of co-operative government. This system is established in Section 40 of the Constitution, which sets out the three spheres of government: national, provincial, and local (Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, sec 3(1)).
Since the first local government elections in 2000, South Africa has habitually produced ‘hung councils’ where no political party attains more than 50% of the municipal seats. The first local government elections produced 29 hung councils. This increased to 31 in the 2006, 37 hung councils in the 2011 elections, 27 in 2016 (Cooperative Governance Traditional Affairs, 2021) and 66 hung councils in 2021(The Citizen, 2021).
As contemporary African politics develop, the occurrence of post-election coalitions in particular has become increasingly prevalent in governance (Kadima, 2014, p.1). Likewise, as political dynamics change, it is common for parties to experience vacillating shifts between losses and gains in electoral support. In fact, the emerging trend is that the formation of coalition governments, particularly at municipal levels, are usually preceded by a decline in electoral support (Mokgosi et.al, 2017, p. 39).
In August 2016, South Africa experienced its own evolution of party governance when the 5th local government elections held since 1995 led to the absence of a clear majority party winner. The ANC had persistently held the majority across different spheres of government. However, since the 2016 municipal elections, the popularity of the ANC went below 50% for the first time, leading to a multiparty coalition led by the Democratic Alliance (DA). This resulted in a stalemate that was the impetus for the DA-led coalition presiding over the Johannesburg municipality from 2016 to 2019 (Mokgosi et al., 2017, p. 37). This particular period was even more politically curious owing to the fact that it spawned more than 20 hung municipalities, the most pertinent being the focus of this case study (Mokgosi et.al, 2017, p. 39).
For the purposes of this chapter, the focus on coalition government will be limited to metropolitan councils, particularly the City of Johannesburg that has consecutively produced hung councils hence the formation of coalitions in 2016 and 2021(Cooperative Governance Traditional Affairs, 2021). In the City of Johannesburg 2016 municipal elections, neither the ANC, the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) nor the Pan-African Congress (PAC), were able to garner the requisite 50% majority to take control of the municipality. Local as well as international observers were swift to rule out any foul play, and agreed that the elections were indeed transparent and credible. (Mokgosi et.al, 2017, p. 37). Prior to this development, no such negotiations concerning the formation of a coalition had been attempted. It is not surprising then that in light of these seemingly hasty political alliances the local government elections invariably raised certain questions about the concept of democracy in South African party politics (Mokgosi et.al, 2017, p. 38) and the lengths that parties will go to attempt to steer power and political narrative. The coalition government of the City of Johannesburg in 2021 will form the basis of a case study to be discussed here. The case study presented explores the trend of unstable local government coalitions in Johannesburg following the 2021 local government elections.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Mature Political Leadership: Mature political leadership refers to leaders who demonstrate wisdom, experience, and a deep understanding of the political landscape. They are characterized by their ability to make prudent decisions, manage conflicts, and guide their communities or countries through challenges, often prioritizing long-term stability and prosperity over short-term gains.
Democratic Consolidation: This refers to the process through which a new democracy matures, becoming stable and enduring. It involves the deepening of democratic institutions and practices, including the establishment of a strong civil society, independent judiciary, and a culture of political participation and competition.
Legislative Framework: This term refers to the collection of laws, regulations, and legal principles that establish the legal environment within which individuals, organizations, and governments operate.
Collaborative Governance: Collaborative governance is an approach where different sectors of society, including government, private sector, and civil society, work together to make decisions and solve problems.
Democratic Principles: These are fundamental beliefs and norms that underpin the operation of a democratic system. Key democratic principles include the rule of law, protection of human rights, separation of powers, pluralism, free and fair elections, and accountability of government officials.
Coalition Government: A coalition government is formed when multiple political parties cooperate to establish a majority in the legislature, often following an election where no single party achieved a majority of seats.
City of Johannesburg: The City of Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and the provincial capital of Gauteng. It is a major economic and financial hub, known for its diversity, cultural richness, and significant role in the country's history.
Hung Council: A hung council occurs when no single political party or coalition of parties has an outright majority of seats in a municipal council, resulting in a situation where the balance of power is held by one or more smaller parties.
Service Delivery: Service delivery in a governmental context refers to the process through which public services, such as healthcare, education, sanitation, and infrastructure, are provided to the population.