SOUTH AFRICA WAITS TO SEE WHO BECOMES MAYOR NEXT AFTER LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS

South Africa's 2026 local election results have been declared, but the political contest is far from over. Attention has shifted to coalition talks as parties negotiate control of municipalities where no single party secured an outright majority.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) declared the November 4 local government election results on November 8. The final results showed that 127 of the country's 213 municipalities have hung councils, meaning no political party secured more than half of the available seats.

The negotiations will determine who becomes South Africa mayors in many municipalities and which parties will share responsibility for running local councils. These coalition talks in South Africa will influence decisions on municipal budgets, infrastructure and essential services over the next five years.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ELECTION RESULTS?

Municipal managers are now required to convene the first meetings of newly elected councils under Section 29(2) of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998.

The law requires these meetings to take place within 14 days after a council has been declared elected. With the results announced on November 8, the first meetings are expected by November 22.

During these sittings, councillors elect the Speaker, mayor or executive mayor and deputy mayor, where applicable. They also establish the council's executive structures, which may include an Executive Committee or a Mayoral Committee, depending on the municipality's governance system.

The Speaker presides over council meetings and oversees proceedings, while the mayor provides political leadership and carries out executive responsibilities under the applicable municipal structure.

In municipalities where one party has secured an outright majority, electing office-bearers is generally more straightforward. In hung councils, parties must negotiate support from other councillors to secure the votes needed to elect their preferred candidates.

WHY COALITION TALKS MATTER

A party winning the most seats in a municipality does not automatically guarantee that it will produce the mayor. Other parties can combine their council seats and support a different candidate, provided that candidate secures the required majority.

Coalition agreements can determine who becomes mayor, which parties receive representation on executive committees and how political responsibilities are shared.

These decisions affect the work of municipal councils. Councillors must consider and approve municipal budgets, oversee spending, adopt policies and monitor service delivery. They also hold municipal administrations accountable for implementing council decisions.

Unstable coalitions can make these responsibilities difficult. Disagreements between coalition partners may delay council meetings, disrupt decisions on budgets and policies, or lead to repeated changes in political leadership.

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has urged parties to prioritise stability, accountability, effective oversight and continuity in service delivery when negotiating coalition agreements.

WHAT RESIDENTS SHOULD WATCH NEXT

Residents should follow the coalition agreements being announced, the candidates nominated for mayoral positions and the outcomes of the first council meetings.

They should also pay attention to whether newly formed councils can pass municipal budgets and maintain effective oversight of local administrations.

These decisions have practical consequences. Municipal councils oversee services such as water supply, electricity distribution, waste collection, road maintenance and local infrastructure projects. When political disagreements prevent councils from making decisions, residents may feel the effects through delayed projects and weak oversight.

The legal position is also important. Section 139 of the Constitution allows provincial intervention when a municipality cannot or does not fulfil an executive obligation. However, this is not an automatic consequence of coalition disagreements or a failed mayoral vote; the specific constitutional conditions must be met.

The first council meetings, expected by November 22, will reveal which parties have secured enough support to elect mayors and establish executive structures. Residents will then be able to assess whether those political agreements translate into functioning councils and accountable local government.