Minority coalitions, a risky business
Updated | By Pieter van der Merwe
For almost two weeks political parties have been locked in negotiations and this time the big shot politicians found themselves humbly asking assistance from their peers heading smaller parties. Some tied their fates to that of the DA, while the ANC is expected to soon announce its new partners.

The EFF, the so-called kingmaker, this time refrained from forging a crown and possibly maneuvered itself into the safest position in the throne room.
It was perfectly orchestrated. The red berets gathered at a table in a field in the heart of Alexandra, juxtaposed to Sandton - the white capitalist capital overshadowing the township.
The EFF took the approach that it will act in the interests of its electorate, at all times. It insisted on its policies and views to be endorsed or seen as integral during coalition talks and refused to compromise on ideologies, merely to get into official decision-making positions. More importantly the young revolutionaries sidestepped public scrutiny by remaining 'The Opposition'. With that the question remains whether the EFF's governance abilities will live up to its PR talents. The party, as its Commander in Chief pointed out, is now in the luxurious position of holding local governments to account, highlighting failures without having to answer for its own mistakes perhaps.
Then, the DA had its speaking time. The party gathered with leaders from the FF+, Cope, UDM, ACDP and IFP on the other side of the M1. Seasoned leaders repeated clichéd statements.
Together these parties committed to serving the interests of the people in the municipalities they are set to govern. The parties will have to defend performances when South Africans return to the polls. It's a huge gamble, for if the South African voting pattern this local government election, is anything to go by - non-performance and non-delivery will be harshly punished.
But the EFF will not be exempt from judgment should things go south. The party has committed to voting for opposition parties in hung councils to stick it to the ANC. The EFF might not have signed on the dotted line with Mmusi Maimane but it has tied itself to the new opposition governments with its voting strategy.
Parties are well aware of the fact that the ANC has far more experience in managing and running things at local government level. So it's a case of new brooms having to ready itself form a string of comments, criticism and for the first time - official opposition from the ANC. For its one thing to point out a lack of delivery - very different story if you are in charge of delivering services yourself.
A lot is at stake. The DA has its work cut out and if successful, service delivery will be significantly improved, not only in municipalities where the ANC has lost control, but in ANC-run councils as well. Everyone has a point to prove and a real opportunity to showcase what they are capable of. Should minority coalitions fail one thing is certain: South Africans will be the biggest losers in a five year game of finger pointing and political posturing.
Written by Pieter van der Merwe, JacarandaFM journalist
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