Cape town: With the 2026 Local Government Elections on the horizon, Bheke Stofile, President of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), predicts a rise in coalition governments across municipalities. Stofile has emphasized the need for the nation to prepare for this shift, as the prevalence of coalitions has significantly grown over the years.

According to South African Government News Agency, Stofile shared insights with Public Sector Manager (PSM) magazine, highlighting that while coalitions are not new, their presence has expanded notably. To manage this transition, SALGA, in collaboration with the Dullah Omar Institute and the University of the Western Cape, has developed a coalition framework. This framework is designed to provide practical guidelines for political parties and independent councillors in coalition governments, addressing challenges of instability and fostering cooperation.

The framework outlines mechanisms for structuring and managing coalitions effectively, covering both their formation and ongoing governance. It acknowledges that instability within local coalitions can have detrimental effects, such as obstructing policy adoption and budget approvals, ultimately undermining essential service delivery to communities.

In preparation for the upcoming elections, Stofile emphasized SALGA’s role in advocating for collaboration with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). This partnership ensures the provision of voting facilities and materials, which he believes contributes to entrenching democracy in South Africa.

Stofile also urged South Africans to participate actively in the electoral process, with voter registration scheduled for June 20 and 21, 2026. He expressed concern over declining voter turnout and the public’s growing mistrust in government institutions, warning that continued apathy could weaken democratic representation.

To counter these challenges, Stofile called on local government officials to serve the public with diligence and integrity. He highlighted the shared governmental goal of improving citizens’ lives, which can be achieved through collaborative efforts across all government levels.

Addressing corruption, Stofile identified it as a core challenge to service delivery in municipalities. He advocated for a multi-disciplinary approach to combat corruption, involving SALGA, government spheres, and political parties. SALGA’s partnership with the Ethics Institute aims to promote ethical conduct among public representatives and municipal officials.

Stofile underscored the importance of collaboration in overcoming local government challenges, emphasizing key mechanisms such as reforming funding models, professionalizing local government, building financial partnerships, and aligning government plans for maximum impact.

As part of its constitutional mandate, SALGA strives to transform local government, representing all 257 municipalities and advocating for their interests in intergovernmental relations, while building municipal capacity.

This article first appeared in Public Sector Magazine