New mayor loading for Joburg as coalitions shift ahead of 2024 elections

The formation of a national multiparty pact could see yet another shift in the mayoral position in Johannesburg. 

After the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa was formed in Kempton Park last week, the parties agreed to bring the Patriotic Alliance (PA) into the fold. (See Queenin Masuabi’s report here.)

PA leader Gayton McKenzie told the Sunday Times that his party would break away from coalitions with the ANC if his party became part of the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa. The coalition is made up of seven parties, four of which won 31.97% of the vote in the most recent local government elections. The four are the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha, Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and ActionSA. The remaining three parties are new on the scene. 

If the PA throws in its lot with the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa, it can lift the new coalition to within shouting distance of a majority. (Bearing in mind, of course, that local and national government elections are different.)  

The PA will meet the DA, ActionSA and FF+ in Johannesburg this week to discuss a shift in support. The Multi-Party Charter for South Africa needs a demonstration hub to showcase what the government it leads will look like. 

With 6 million people and an R81-billion budget, Johannesburg is a suitable Petri dish as the country’s biggest metro. It is also in dire straits financially, and the beleaguered city and its people need all the help they can get.

If the talks succeed, ActionSA’s Funzi Ngobeni could be the mayoral candidate – if the DA agrees. If not, then DA caucus leader Belinda Echeozonjoku could be the candidate. 

At the other end of the city’s political spectrum, President Cyril Ramaphosa told a Gauteng ANC gathering on 19 August that its caucus leader, Dada Morero, would be a good mayor. 

On numerous occasions, the ANC national headquarters has said that as the biggest party in the 270-seat council, it should hold the mayoralty.