Verwoerd argued that the most stable coalitions would emulate the national cooperation between the ANC and DA, where the historic rivals have agreed to share power.
Speaking about Cape Town, she said it is unlikely the DA will lose control of the municipality; the coastal city is widely regarded as the nation’s top‑performing metro and has been governed by the DA since the late 2000s, when it ousted the ANC.
Ethekwini, which encompasses the port city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, presents a different scenario, Verwoerd noted.
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is projected to do well in the region, but it is uncertain whether it will obtain the outright majority required to administer the metro; polls indicate it will need coalition partners to form a government.
Founded by former President Jacob Zuma, the party was the largest in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal in the 2024 provincial election.
Verwoerd observed that although multiple options existed for the party, forming a government would be “very messy” given its refusal to cooperate with either the ANC or the DA.
A confident Zuma, speaking to supporters on Sunday, pledged to seize control of several municipalities after the elections.
Political analyst Dr. Levy Ndou echoed Verwoerd’s assessment, stating that a coalition between the DA and ANC appears unavoidable in most metros.
“We are uncertain whether the arrangement of a government of national unity could affect how the metros are managed,” he said.
Both experts also discussed the declining voter turnout in South Africa’s elections. Although more than 29 million citizens are registered to vote, turnout—particularly among young people—has been steadily decreasing.
Ndou attributed the trend to the caliber of campaigning candidates and the limited visibility of local councillors, who are typically elected to lead their neighbourhoods.
South Africa’s electoral commission has seven days to announce the results, while parties are given 14 days to establish a governing structure.
