The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s rise in eThekwini marks a significant shift in the city’s political landscape. The party has emerged as the largest political force in the eThekwini Municipality following the November 4, 2026, local government elections. However, without an outright council majority, complex negotiations with other political parties will determine the next administration.
Despite securing the highest share of the vote, the MK Party faces a major challenge. They must secure support from rivals to establish a governing majority. Consequently, the latest results have placed eThekwini at the center of intense coalition negotiations. This raises questions about who will lead the municipality and how the new government will address ongoing service delivery challenges.
From a 2024 Debut to eThekwini’s Biggest Party
The MK Party’s latest performance builds heavily on the support it attracted during its 2024 electoral debut.
During the 2024 national and provincial elections, the party secured 602,632 votes in eThekwini. This represented 48.1% of the valid votes on the national ballot. As a result, it emerged as the most supported party in the municipality, well ahead of the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 24% and the African National Congress (ANC) at 15.2%.
Two years later, the party has successfully maintained its position as the largest political force in the metro. According to the 2026 election results, MK secured 38.2% of the proportional representation vote. This translates into 86 seats in the 223-seat municipal council.
Although this percentage is lower than its 2024 national ballot performance, experts warn against treating it as a direct decline in support. National and local elections use different ballots and attract different voter turnouts. Furthermore, the 2026 results saw the DA secure 57 seats, followed by the ANC with 37 and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) with 15 seats.
Why MK Cannot Govern Alone
Despite emerging as the biggest party, MK did not secure an outright majority in the municipal council. An outright majority in eThekwini requires at least 112 of the 223 council seats. Because they hold 86 seats, the party is 26 seats short of that critical threshold.
Therefore, MK will need the support of other political parties to establish a governing arrangement. This reality has opened the door to coalition negotiations. Parties must now consider possible partnerships, shared responsibilities, and specific agreements on how to govern the municipality.
These negotiations are particularly significant. Ultimately, the outcome will determine who occupies key leadership positions. It will also dictate how officials make decisions on municipal budgets, infrastructure, and service delivery.
What Are the Political Parties Saying?
Political parties have already begun outlining their positions as negotiations take shape. Willies Mchunu, the MK Party KZN electoral task team convener, indicated that his party is open to discussions with other political organizations.
He stated that a commitment to service delivery would guide the party’s approach. Specifically, he highlighted priorities such as improving municipal administration, strengthening accountability, and fixing infrastructure challenges involving water, electricity, and sewage systems.
The DA has also expressed a willingness to negotiate. Sithembiso Ngema, the DA’s KZN leader, identified several urgent priorities. These include sewage pollution, E. coli contamination, crime, and hijacked buildings.
However, an agreement between these two parties remains highly uncertain. Haniff Hoosen, the DA’s eThekwini mayoral candidate, previously ruled out forming a coalition with MK. Similarly, MK representatives have expressed strong reservations about working with the DA. Consequently, major questions remain about which political parties will eventually team up to secure the required council majority.
What Does This Mean for the People of eThekwini?
Beyond the political negotiations, this election outcome carries practical implications for local residents. Citizens depend heavily on the municipality for essential services.
For residents, forming a new administration is not simply about who occupies the mayor’s office. Instead, it is about whether the municipality can finally address persistent challenges affecting their everyday lives. Access to reliable water, electricity, proper sanitation, maintained roads, and effective waste management remain critical responsibilities.
Furthermore, local businesses depend on reliable infrastructure. They need an efficient local government to operate effectively, attract investment, and create employment opportunities.
Zakhele Ndlovu, a political analyst from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, highlighted the importance of these coalition arrangements. He notes they will directly determine the future political direction of the municipality. The central question is whether political parties can prioritize the needs of residents over their own political interests.
What Happens Next?
As coalition negotiations continue, the future leadership of eThekwini depends entirely on securing sufficient support within the council. The party with the most votes does not automatically govern alone. They must still gather the numbers needed to pass council decisions and establish a working administration.
For residents, the coming weeks are crucial. They will determine what the new political arrangement looks like and whether election promises will translate into tangible improvements.
Many voters are watching closely. Thobile Shezi, an eThekwini resident, welcomed the party’s performance. She hopes its leadership will bring the change and development residents desperately want.
“We also voted for the party in 2024, but it was not part of the coalition. Now it is time for it to govern us,” Shezi said. She expressed confidence in the party by recalling Jacob Zuma’s presidency, adding that she hopes the new administration will help ease the severe cost-of-living pressures facing residents, particularly rising food and fuel prices.
Ultimately, the true significance of the MK Party’s victory will not just be measured by its 86 council seats. Instead, it will be judged by what the eventual administration actually delivers to the people of eThekwini.
Prepared by: Sibongile Nyamo