In recent years, coalition politics in South Africa has become synonymous with instability. From municipal governments in Oudtshoorn, Theewaterskloof, and Cederberg to the larger stage of the Government of National Unity (GNU), the inability of political parties to honor agreements has undermined governance, strained public trust, and weakened service delivery. The ongoing tension between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) in the Western Cape exemplifies these challenges. Yet, amid the finger-pointing, a fundamental question emerges: what does it mean to be a reliable and trustworthy coalition partner?

Dr. Corne Mulder, an experienced figure in South African politics, offers two critical principles for coalition stability: adherence to agreements and prioritization of community interests above party politics. These principles, while simple in theory, require discipline and integrity in practice—qualities often lacking in South Africa’s political landscape.

Coalitions must also not be treated as temporary measures of convenience for political parties to regroup or reshape their strategy. Instead, they should represent a sustainable partnership designed to endure for the full length of the governing term. This requires coalition partners to commit to mutual respect and long-term collaboration rather than treating alliances as stopgaps or power plays.

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Adherence to Agreements

At the heart of any coalition is the agreement that binds partners to a shared vision. These agreements are not mere formalities; they are the foundation of trust and cooperation. Yet, South Africa’s coalition track record reveals a troubling pattern of broken commitments. In municipalities like Cederberg, parties have reneged on agreed power-sharing arrangements, leading to deadlocks and service delivery failures.

Adherence to agreements is not just a matter of good faith; it is a demonstration of respect for democratic processes and the electorate. A coalition partner who honors their commitments strengthens the alliance and sets a standard of accountability. Conversely, those who prioritize short-term gains or personal agendas over collective goals destabilize governance and erode public trust.

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Community Interests Before Party Politics

Coalition politics often devolves into a zero-sum game where parties prioritize their own survival over the needs of the communities they serve. This self-serving approach is evident in municipalities like Theewaterskloof, where internal disputes have left residents bearing the brunt of service disruptions.

Dr. Mulder’s assertion that coalitions must put community interests first is a timely reminder of what politics should be about: serving the people. Reliable coalition partners must rise above party rivalries and ideological differences to focus on shared objectives, such as improving infrastructure, creating jobs, and ensuring public safety. In doing so, they can restore faith in coalition governance and demonstrate that collaboration is not only possible but beneficial.

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Lessons from South Africa’s Failures

The instability of coalitions in Tshwane and Johannesburg further underscores the consequences of neglecting these principles. These cities have witnessed frequent leadership changes, budget crises, and stalled development projects, all stemming from fractured coalitions. The lack of alignment on policy priorities and the absence of mechanisms to mediate disputes have turned these alliances into battlegrounds rather than platforms for progress.

KwaZulu Natal offers another cautionary tale. Coalitions in the province have often been formed out of necessity rather than genuine alignment, leading to fragile partnerships that collapse under pressure. These failures highlight the importance of building coalitions on a solid foundation of trust, shared goals, and enforceable agreements.

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International Examples of Success

While South Africa’s coalition experience has been fraught with challenges, international examples offer valuable lessons. In Germany, "Grand Coalitions" between major parties like the CDU/CSU and SPD have shown that structured agreements and clear power-sharing mechanisms can ensure stability. German coalitions often include independent arbitration bodies to resolve disputes, ensuring that disagreements do not derail governance.

New Zealand’s proportional representation system also provides a model for effective coalition governance. By emphasizing transparency in negotiations and aligning on key policy priorities, New Zealand’s parties have managed to form durable alliances that prioritize national interests over political expediency.

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Building a Path Forward

South Africa can learn from these international examples and adapt their guiding principles to its unique political landscape. To foster reliable and trustworthy coalitions, the following steps are crucial:

1. Institutionalize Coalition Agreements: Formalize agreements with legally enforceable mechanisms to hold partners accountable. This could involve signing agreements before independent oversight bodies or courts, ensuring that deviations from the agreed terms carry tangible consequences, such as fines or removal from the coalition. Crucially, these agreements must explicitly commit parties to a sustainable partnership for the full term, not as temporary arrangements to be discarded once political convenience shifts.
2. Establish Independent Mediation: Create neutral bodies to resolve disputes and prevent conflicts from escalating into full-blown crises. These mediators could be selected from civil society, legal experts, or retired judges, and their role would be to intervene when disputes arise, providing binding arbitration to ensure the coalition remains functional.
3. Prioritize Shared Objectives: Focus on policies that directly benefit communities, such as service delivery, infrastructure development, and economic growth. Coalition partners must agree on a list of priority policies at the outset and commit to transparent timelines and benchmarks for implementation. Regular public reporting on progress can help maintain focus and accountability, reducing the risk of partners straying from the agreed objectives. Partners must also agree to align their strategic goals for the duration of the term to avoid mid-term disruptions.
4. Promote Ethical Leadership: Cultivate a culture of integrity where leaders model the values they expect from their coalition partners. This begins with strong internal party systems to vet coalition representatives for competence, experience, and commitment to ethical governance. Furthermore, coalition leaders should engage with local communities through regular consultations to ensure their decisions reflect grassroots needs rather than top-down political maneuvering. A commitment to ethical leadership also involves resolving internal party disputes that may disrupt coalition harmony.

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Final Thoughts

South Africa’s coalition politics is at a crossroads. The examples of Oudtshoorn, Theewaterskloof, and Cederberg illustrate the urgent need for a paradigm shift in how coalitions are formed and managed. By adhering to agreements, prioritizing community interests, and learning from international successes, political parties can build alliances that are not only stable but also transformative.

Ultimately, reliable coalition partners must recognize that their primary duty is not to their party or themselves but to the people they serve. In honoring this duty, they can turn coalition governance from a source of dysfunction into a model of collaboration and progress.

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