Following an aggressive Local Government Election campaign, one which involved the DA warning against voting for the ANC and EFF to prevent “coalition chaos”, DA Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the party is already having informal discussions with all parties, including the ANC, to form stable governments in many municipalities where no party has received the majority vote.

Speaking at the National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on Friday morning, Hill-Lewis said it now appears a large number of councils will be so-called hung councils, making coalition talks vital, in the interest of citizens everywhere.

The DA has gained support across the country, most notably in Gauteng and in various townships in the City of Cape Town. The ANC has lost support countrywide, with ActionSA also emerging as strong in Gauteng. The Patriotic Alliance has made a strong showing in the Western Cape.

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Hill-Lewis says all parties must now put aside their differences and prioritise the people of South Africa.

“The DA is ready, and we are eager to get started. I commit the DA to working hard over the coming weeks to help build governments that will get South Africa’s cities and towns working for all. We will approach these discussions with respect for the mandate each party has received from the voters.”

He says the election results reflect a growing, stronger DA that is now deeply embedded in every single community in the country.

The DA will be the only party to govern a metro with an outright majority in Cape Town, while the party is emerging as the largest party in 4 other Metros – Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Nelson Mandela Bay.

“We received our highest-ever support in the townships of Cape Town, and achieved similar record support in townships across the country, especially where we govern. Voters can see the effort the DA makes to govern well for everyone and improve the living conditions and dignity of every person.”

Hill-Lewis says in the coming days coalition negotiations will begin in earnest.

“We have already begun reaching out to all parties to begin discussions on forming stable governments. The DA would like to bring parties together around a shared programme of good government for all. I invite every party willing to put residents first to join us. We seek partners committed to bringing integrity to local government, stable government, zero tolerance for corruption, merit-based appointments, sound financial management and measurable improvements in basic services for all residents.”

The DA Leader says all coalition agreements will be published once they are concluded.