South African Politics
latest news & developments
‘No time for petty squabbles’, says Ramaphosa as coalition tensions brew
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on political parties to negotiate in good faith to form functional municipal councils, warning that infighting must not hinder basic service…
ANC barely hangs on as DA and ActionSA make gains in final IEC results
The IEC has finalised the 2026 local government election results, showing the ANC clinging to a national lead with just 30.76% of the vote amid significant gains for the DA and…
Municipal Coalitions Bill - Why it is important
The parties in South Africa's Government of National Unity must unite to pass the Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, establishing vital framework rules for stable local…
MK Party will not rescue parties rejected by voters, says Duduzane Zuma
Duduzane Zuma says the MK party will not rescue political parties rejected by voters, as coalition talks loom over hung municipalities across KwaZulu-Natal.
The ANC is still the largest party, but its mandate is shrinking
Despite remaining South Africa's largest party, voting-station data reveals the ANC lost nearly 700,000 votes while voter turnout rose, pointing to a shrinking mandate ahead of…
MK Party sets coalition rules as it prepares to negotiate after local elections
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has established a national negotiating team to guide post-election coalition talks, maintaining that it will not compromise its principles to enter…
DA and ActionSA face coalition test as Gauteng metros hang in the balance
The DA and ActionSA face high-stakes coalition talks as hung councils in major Gauteng metros leave the future of municipal governance hanging in the balance.
DA keeps mayoral options open as coalition talks loom
The Democratic Alliance is keeping its options open regarding mayoral chains in key metros like Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni as political parties prepare for critical coalition…
‘There’s no such thing as apolitical music’: Siyabonga Mthembu on democracy, citizenship and Ngeke!
The Brother Moves On frontman Siyabonga Mthembu discusses why all music is political, the complexities of South African democracy, and why citizens must define the country's…
15.9 million voters reshape local politics as coalitions loom
Voter turnout rebounded to 15.9 million in the 2026 local government elections, driven by middle-class frustration over service delivery failures as preliminary results point to…
Editorial: Why you needed to vote
As power and water outages struck Gauteng on election day, widespread voter apathy served only to protect the failing politicians responsible for crumbling municipal services.
DA wins back uMngeni by an increased majority, makes inroads in key KZN municipalities
The Democratic Alliance has secured a decisive victory in KwaZulu-Natal's uMngeni local municipality, retaining control with over 60% of the vote share.
Zuma makes plethora of promises as MK party takes early lead in KZN
Former President Jacob Zuma has pledged to aggressively tackle poverty and raise pensions as his uMkhonto weSizwe party secured an early lead in KwaZulu-Natal during vote counting.
No water, no order: Sophiatown voter wants Freedom Front Plus to rescue SA
Frustrated by daily water cuts, uncollected rubbish, and urban decay, Sophiatown voter Joanna Moleko has cast her ballot for Pieter Groenewald and the Freedom Front Plus in…
Magistrate reads out judgement on Phala Phala stolen dollars used to buy luxury cars
The Modimolle Regional Court heard how $580,000 stolen from President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm was spent on luxury cars, jewellery, and property as judgment is handed…