The North West residents are divided on the outcomes of the local government elections. Though the African National Congress (ANC) is still a majority party in the province, its electoral support has dipped below 50% for the first time.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are second and third largest parties respectively. The ANC has further lost its grip on several municipalities in this year’s elections, leaving the province with 11 hung councils.
Some residents in Mahikeng are hopeful that coalition governments will work. “I think we’ll now see changes. They will now hold each other accountable. I’m happy that parties will work together to ensure service delivery,” says one resident.
Another resident adds, “I just hope there’ll be peace, communication and connection so that they can fix whatever happened in the past; because we rely on them.”
However, some believe coalition governments at municipalities will be chaotic. “I don’t think the coalition government will be stable. There will be sabotage,” stresses another resident.
“There’s going to be instability due to many parties in council. every party will want to put themselves first,” one resident explains.
VIDEO | Election results announcement at the Gallagher Convention Centre: