Most South Africans favour coalition politics ahead of 2026 local elections - survey

CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit is joined by Paul Berkowitz of Hlaziya Solutions.

Listen below:

As South Africa prepares for the 2026 local government elections, voter sentiment is revealing changing attitudes towards local governance and coalition politics.

A survey by the Brenthurst Foundation has revealed how respondents view the increasing emergence of coalition politics.

The results show voters are increasingly accepting coalition governments, though frustrations with instability, especially in the Johannesburg metro, remain.

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"Overall, about 80% of respondents say they would be happy to see a coalition of political parties in their municipality."

- Paul Berkowitz, Director - Hlaziya Solutions

"Across six big metros (including Joburg and Cape Town) where they had a sizeable sample representation, again it was an overwhelming majority [in favour], in five of those six metros, over 80% in most."

- Paul Berkowitz, Director - Hlaziya Solutions

Only one province bucked the trend when it came to being 'happy' about the prospect of a coalition government in the local metro.

"It was only Cape Town where the numbers were much closer, something like 55% said they'd be happy with a coalition and 44% said they wouldn't be."

- Paul Berkowitz, Director - Hlaziya Solutions

Berkowitz suggests the responses in favour of coalition politics could be based on a growing acceptance among voters that coalition governance is now an enduring feature of local politics.

"It is more of a recognition of a reality - that coalition governments are here to stay."

- Paul Berkowitz, Director - Hlaziya Solutions

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