Following the conclusion of the Local Government Elections and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)’s declaration that the elections were free and fair, attention is now shifting towards the establishment of new municipal councils, coalition negotiations and the commencement of a new era of governance and accountability.
The next 14 days are expected to be crucial as municipalities across the country prepare to constitute their new councils and put leadership structures in place.
Speaking in an interview, IEC Manager in the Alfred Nzo District, Arnold Mbaligontsi, explained that the first council sittings must take place within the prescribed 14-day period following the declaration of election results.
Mbaligontsi further explained that municipalities where no political party has secured an outright majority will have to rely on negotiations between political parties to establish governing arrangements.
According to the IEC’s announced results, 72 municipalities have outright majorities, while 127 municipalities are hung councils, making coalition negotiations necessary in those municipalities.
During their inaugural meetings, newly elected councillors will elect the Speaker of the Council, the Executive Mayor or Mayor, depending on the municipal structure, and the Deputy Mayor where applicable. Councils will also establish their executive structures through the appointment of Mayoral Committee or Executive Committee members, depending on the applicable governance model.
Once the new councils have been formally constituted, attention will turn to the handover of municipal administration from outgoing leadership to incoming office-bearers. This process will allow the new administration to assess the financial position of the municipality, outstanding obligations, infrastructure projects and existing service delivery challenges.
In the first months of the new term, municipalities are also expected to review their development priorities, budgets, Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and implementation plans to ensure that their programmes respond to the needs and expectations of communities.
In Matatiele, the political landscape appears clearer, with the African National Congress (ANC) securing an outright majority in the local municipality.
The first sitting of the newly elected Matatiele Local Municipal Council is anticipated to take place on 18 November 2026.
The ANC has secured 26 ward seats and an additional four proportional representation (PR) seats, bringing its total representation to 30 seats in the municipal council.
The opposition parties, comprising the Democratic Alliance (DA), African Transformation Movement (ATM), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), South African Communist Party (SACP) and African Independent Congress (AIC), share the remaining 28 seats.
With 30 seats against the opposition’s combined 28, the ANC has secured a majority and is therefore positioned to lead the municipality without requiring a coalition agreement with other political parties.
However, securing a majority is only the beginning. The incoming administration will face the responsibility of demonstrating that its electoral mandate can translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of Matatiele residents.
Issues such as reliable water supply, electricity, road infrastructure, sanitation, waste management, local economic development and employment opportunities are likely to remain among the key expectations of communities.
The new council will also have to demonstrate financial discipline, strengthen municipal administration and ensure that public resources are used effectively and transparently.
As Matatiele prepares for its first council sitting, residents will be watching closely to see how the newly elected councillors position themselves to address the municipality’s longstanding challenges.
Ultimately, the next five years should not simply be about political representation and occupying municipal offices. They should be about effective governance, improved service delivery, economic development and accountability to the people who entrusted their votes to elected representatives.
For Matatiele, the election is over. The real test of leadership and service delivery now begins.
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