Zille names ActionSA or ANC as preferred Johannesburg coalition partner
The Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate for Johannesburg said preliminary results show a two-party coalition is possible. She argued against large coalitions and rejected claims that a DA-led city would withdraw social grants.
Helen Zille said a two-party coalition would be easier to manage than a broad coalition of several smaller parties. She said she was once part of a coalition of 7 parties and would not favour one of 10 over a two-party deal. She said the final outcome depends on results and negotiations.
Zille said smaller parties in coalitions often put positions for their associates and access to tenders ahead of service delivery. She said the DA has a stronger reason to improve governance because its record in government affects its votes. She said she is unsure whether ActionSA and the ANC could win a governing majority together, even with smaller parties.
She said the DA joined the Government of National Unity to stop an ANC-led coalition with the EFF and the MK party. On negotiations, she said having options is what gives a party its power.
Zille called the claim that a DA-led administration would withdraw social grants lunatic, hard and cruel. She said the DA wants to attract investment and grow the economy so that more people find work.
Key facts
- Who
- Helen Zille (Democratic Alliance Johannesburg mayoral candidate); Democratic Alliance (party; Zille's party, with national coalition negotiators); ActionSA (party named as a preferred coalition partner); ANC (party named as a preferred coalition partner)
- When
- 7 November 2026
- Where
- Johannesburg
- Status
- Reported