2021 South African municipal elections
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| 2021 South African municipal elections | |
|---|---|
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| Election name | 2021 South African municipal elections |
| Country | South Africa |
| Type | Local |
| Election date | 1 November 2021 |
| Previous election | 2016 South African municipal elections |
| Next election | 2026 South African municipal elections |
2021 South African municipal elections were held on 1 November 2021 across metropolitan, district, and local municipalities in South Africa. The elections determined councillors in 257 municipalities and shaped administrations in City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality, and eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, among others. Major participants included the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, and a range of smaller parties and independent candidates.
Background
The 2021 municipal polls followed the national dynamics of the 2019 South African general election and the fragmentation visible in the 2021 South African municipal by-elections and provincial politics. The elections occurred against the backdrop of political crises involving figures such as Jacob Zuma and institutions like the Constitutional Court of South Africa, as well as service delivery protests in municipalities including Nelson Mandela Bay, Mangaung, and Ekurhuleni. Policy debates referenced decisions by the National Treasury (South Africa), disputes within African National Congress Youth League, and realignments involving veterans from United Democratic Movement and Inkatha Freedom Party.
Electoral System and Voting Procedures
South African local elections use a mixed-member proportional system combining first-past-the-post ward contests and closed-list proportional representation in municipal councils, a framework derived from the Electoral Commission of South Africa regulations and constitutional provisions referenced in the Constitution of South Africa. Voter registration relied on the Independent Electoral Commission (South Africa), with voters casting separate ballots for ward candidates and party lists in councils such as City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Rules governing recounts, spoiled ballots, and candidate eligibility engaged institutions like the Electoral Court of South Africa and procedures informed by precedents from the 2000 South African municipal elections and 2016 South African municipal elections.
Campaigns and Key Issues
Campaigns were dominated by debates over corruption allegations involving local figures linked to the Gupta family saga, controversies surrounding prosecutions ordered by National Prosecuting Authority (South Africa), and allegations of maladministration in municipalities such as Mogalakwena Local Municipality. Service delivery, electricity supply under the Eskom crisis, water scarcity in regions like the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, and unemployment concerns intersected with discussions of land reform tied to the Expropriation of Land Without Compensation discourse. Prominent campaigners included leaders from the African National Congress, the Democratic Alliance leadership of figures who had contested in metros, and the Economic Freedom Fighters led by Julius Malema, while smaller parties such as ActionSA, founded by Herman Mashaba, and Good Party led by Patricia de Lille targeted urban constituencies.
Results and Seat Distribution
No single party won an outright majority in several major metros; the African National Congress suffered vote share declines in urban centers, while the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters made gains in municipalities such as City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality. Newer formations like ActionSA achieved notable local representation, and independents won ward contests in municipalities including Mbombela. The seat distribution in councils reflected proportional allocations consistent with the mixed-member system, creating hung councils in metros like Nelson Mandela Bay and prompting coalition arithmetic that involved parties such as Patriotic Alliance (South Africa), African Christian Democratic Party, and Freedom Front Plus.
Municipal Government Formation and Coalitions
Post-election periods saw complex negotiations to form mayoral coalitions in municipalities such as Ekurhuleni and Mangaung, involving multi-party agreements and withdrawal or realignment of members from the African National Congress and Democratic Alliance. Coalition pacts referenced precedent negotiations from the 2016 South African municipal elections and legal frameworks overseen by the Independent Electoral Commission (South Africa) and municipal courts. Coalitions often included ideologically diverse partners—for example, arrangements between Economic Freedom Fighters and centrist parties—while stability challenges led to motions of no confidence and mayoral changes invoking mayoral rules in municipal legislatures such as those in City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.
Reactions and Political Impact
Domestic reactions included statements from leaders like Cyril Ramaphosa and opposition figures such as John Steenhuisen, as well as commentary from civil society groups including Corruption Watch (South Africa) and trade unions like the Congress of South African Trade Unions. International observers and diplomatic missions referenced standards set by the African Union and the Commonwealth of Nations in evaluating electoral integrity. The outcome intensified debates within the African National Congress about leadership and strategy, prompted policy reviews at National Treasury (South Africa), and influenced municipal administration actions by entities like Municipal Demarcation Board.
Analysis and Implications for Future Elections
Analysts compared results with past cycles including the 2016 South African municipal elections and national contests such as the 2019 South African general election, suggesting trends of urban voter realignment toward opposition blocs and fragmentation benefitting smaller parties. The role of identity politics, service delivery failures in municipalities like Makhado Local Municipality, and the emergence of personalities such as Herman Mashaba informed projections for the 2024 South African general election and subsequent local contests. The mixed-member proportional framework ensures continued coalition politics, with implications for governance in metros like City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and rural councils, and potential juridical challenges carried to bodies such as the Constitutional Court of South Africa and the Electoral Court of South Africa.
Category:2021 elections in South Africa