What is Democratic Principles

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.