Bumpy road awaits GNU leading to next year's local elections

Other parties may capitalise on shaky ANC-DA relationship

- NKOSIKHULULE NYEMBEZI

AUGUST is peak political activity time, and the reshuffling of executive members at all three spheres of government is on many minds.

Municipalities are starting a new financial year which might be their last if anyone takes seriously the corridor whispers about early local government elections next year to hasten the fortunes of those political parties seeking leverage on their honeymoon with voters to take over control of several hung municipalities nationwide.

The ANC’ signalled support for colossal GNU review plans, whose details would bust its current cooperation pledges with the DA in favour of adding more parties into the executive, continues to drive speculations about political stability ahead of next year’s local government elections.

No wonder the ANC’s media briefing on August 6 following the conclusion of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Ekurhuleni attracted the attention of many who have not shown interest in such meetings since after the formation of the GNU in June last year.

One source of public interest that is likely to remain in the media headlines has been in the critical resolutions taken by the NEC regarding the unfavourable geopolitical tensions with the US, as well as key remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa when he closed the meeting with a warning about South Africa's worsening economic conditions, growing tensions within the tripartite alliance, and the future direction of the GNU.

Will parties like the IFP capitalise on this shaky ANC-DA relationship and use their national and provincial influence over local government and cooperative government to strengthen their grip on KwaZulu-Natal?

Will the EFF and other small kingmaker parties be inclined to instruct councillors to support council resolutions calling for the dissolution of municipal councils to trigger an early election?