Traditional Leaders Urge Parties to Put Communities First

Traditional leaders call on politicians to prioritise community needs as ActionSA holds talks over hung KwaZulu-Natal councils.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a plain civic building with a lone flagpole against rolling hills in deep red and cream, suggesting municipal governance. — Traditional leaders urged political parties on Tuesday to put community needs ahead of personal ambitions as ActionSA held talks with the ANC and MK Party over hung KwaZulu-Natal councils. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust your local politicians to put residents' needs first in coalition talks?

Traditional leaders have urged politicians to prioritise community needs over personal ambitions in municipal coalition negotiations following South Africa's local government elections held on 4 November. The call comes as several municipal councils in KwaZulu-Natal remain hung, and ActionSA has met the ANC and MK Party to discuss governing arrangements.

Why it matters

Hung municipal councils require coalition arrangements before governing bodies can be formed, so the outcome of these talks will determine who runs the affected municipalities. Traditional leaders' intervention signals concern that party interests could outweigh the needs of local communities during the negotiations.

Local government elections were held on 4 November, leaving municipal councils in KwaZulu-Natal hung and requiring coalition arrangements. ActionSA has said its discussions with the ANC and MK Party remain exploratory, with no coalition agreement yet concluded.

The players

Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela

Secretary of South Africa's Traditional Organisation and a former chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust Board, which oversees land held in trust in KwaZulu-Natal.

Inkosi Mandla Mahlangu

A traditional leader from Mpumalanga under the AmaNdebele kingdom who has spoken on the role of community needs in coalition talks.

Nkosi Zanothando Lithalobom Mtirara

A traditional leader of the Mthatha West Traditional Authority in the Eastern Cape.

ActionSA

A South African opposition political party that has held exploratory talks with the ANC and MK Party over governing hung municipal councils.

The details

Traditional leaders issued public statements calling on parties to put community needs first during coalition negotiations. ActionSA has held meetings with the ANC and MK Party regarding the hung municipal councils, but says no agreement has been reached.

4 November 2026: Local government elections held across South Africa.
Wednesday, 11 November 2026: ActionSA describes its discussions with the ANC and MK Party as exploratory.

Political Context

Coalition-dependent municipal governance has become common in South Africa since the 2016 local elections, when many councils, including several in KwaZulu-Natal, were hung. Critics of such arrangements argue that party bargaining can overshadow service delivery, a concern traditional leaders now echo.

The outcome of coalition talks will determine who governs municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal and affects the services residents receive from their councils. Voters can follow the negotiations and the decisions made by their local representatives as arrangements are finalised.

The takeaway

Coalition agreements will shape municipal services in the affected areas, so residents should watch how parties justify their decisions. Traditional leaders' call suggests community needs should remain the test for any arrangement reached.