Wits University associate professor at the School of Governance, William Gumede, says coalitions as a form of governance are not difficult, but the problem lies with individuals who lack political maturity and the ability to put the interests of the citizens first.
Following the 2026 local government elections, there are more than 130 hung councils.
Gumede says if coalitions are not formed in the public interest, they won’t deliver.
“Coalition is not a problem. In fact, I mean, you know, coalitions since the Second World War have delivered economic miracles, you know, across the world from developing countries to developed countries. I mean, in Africa, for example, you know, if you look back, since Liberia became independent in 1847, the most successful form of governance in Africa has been coalitions, not one party. In Europe, the post-war growth in German miracles, coalitions. If coalitions are not in the public interest, they won’t deliver. So the problem so far has been our political parties and our leaders, not coalitions as a form of governance.”
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