By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has announced the names of the two members who will lead the party’s coalition negotiations.
In a statement released on Sunday, the governing party named treasurer-general Paul Mashatile and deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte as the leaders of the negotiations team.
“This initiative is one of many constructive engagements that are happening at all levels of the organisation, the ANC is a common denominator in all these hung municipalities.”
The party says the number of hung municipalities across the country is a clear indication that South Africans want all parties to work together.
“We believe that in exercising their will, the people of South Africa have imposed on all parties to work together and take the country forward. This forms part of an established and increasingly new condition for most municipalities.”
The ANC met with a number of political parties on Saturday and that more meetings with other parties would follow as and when these parties were ready to engage.
Following the declaration of the results on Thursday, municipal councils have to meet within 14 days to elect their speakers and start forming governments.
The ANC’s national executive committee is also meeting on Sunday to evaluate the party’s dismal performance, and with whom it is likely to go into coalitions.
“We believe that as different parties, we are enjoined by a commitment to work for our people and the country. We once more reiterate our commitment as the ANC to find solutions that will benefit our people. Once we reach agreements with other parties, we will jointly communicate those decisions,” read the ANC statement.
The ANC clinched the majority seats in 161 municipal councils, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with 13 municipalities which is closely followed by the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) which now holds majority seats in 10 municipal councils. At least 66 municipal councils are hung – meaning that no party gained an outright majority.