'There was a coalition before and it didn’t help us'

Residents from Gauteng metros have expressed mixed reactions to the prospects of coalition governments in their municipalities.

This comes as results emerging from the local government elections on Monday point to the Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane councils being hung.

While some residents said they preferred coalitions as there would be more than one party involved in the running of things, others believe they have not worked well before and would not start now. 

Lerato Tladi, 43, from Diepsloot, Johannesburg, said: “I support the idea of one political party running our municipality because you know exactly who to confront when there are problems. When the DA was running Joburg with other small parties like the EFF, I didn't see any changes in my area. We had street lights that were not working and people got mugged at night. Crime was high. We even have sewage spillages here. The DA and the small parties that it was governing with promised to fix the sewer system but they didn't.”

Thinavhuyo Guga, 34, also from Diepsloot, said a coalition would work because the parties were able to divide the work among themselves to provide services.

“Before the ANC-led coalition we didn't have electricity. The ANC took over with the small parties and we got electricity, sewer pipes were fixed and RDP houses were built for us,” Guga said.

Riaan Peterson, 39, from Olievenhoutbosch, Pretoria, said the DA-led coalition didn't work.

“That government made a lot of promises and didn't deliver. They promised us jobs, to build houses and fix roads. Before the coalition government in 2016, the ANC ran this municipality alone properly.” 

Anathi Memani, 37, also from Olievenhoutbosch, said: “I don't support coalition governments because we saw no service delivery. The parties that were in charge with the DA only focused on suburbs in Pretoria.”

Andrew Jafta from ward 7 in Ennerdale, southern Johannesburg, said a coalition will have no significance to their lives.

“There was a coalition before. It didn’t help us. Ennerdale is a forgotten town and nobody really cares about us.”

However, Maureen Jacobs is hopeful that a coalition government would improve their lives.

“Maybe we’ll get more things done around here,” said Jacobs.

In Eldorado Park, Verson Abdul said: “When you have one party ruling, they do whatever they want. But when there are other parties ruling then they have a big say in how the city is run,” said Abdul.

Gabisile Lushozi, 57, from Emaphupheni near Daveyton, on the East Rand, said working together would be the only solution. 

“I think we have pulled in different directions for a very long time and that is the reason why we have seen so much division and fighting in parties and with opposition. Two or more heads are better than one,” said Lushozi.

Solly Ramela, a pensioner from Crystal Park in Benoni, said he was not excited about coalitions. 

“The ANC has let us down for many years. We all know they misuse the state funds, so to move forward we need communities to demand feedback on projects and budgets. As long as they come together for the interests of the people and faster service delivery strategies, then I'm in.”

Bryn Mashaba, 35, said: “Nothing came out of this (DA-led coalition) for the past 5 years hence we did not see efficient service delivery. The ANC and DA are against each other and they cannot work in the same office. Having lots and lots of political parties makes it worse because these small parties are also fighting for a chance to get seats in parliament,” said Mashaba.

Novuyo Mnchunu, 28, said political parties are power hungry but believes Tshwane needs a coalition government.

“I moved from ANC to DA and now I went for Action SA with the hope that they’ll bring change in our community. When one party excels in their allocated wards, they push their competitors to do better,” said Mnchunu.