ActionSA, FF Plus and PA talks: the seat maths in Gauteng's metros
ActionSA met the FF Plus, PA and BOSA on 11 November. Together ActionSA, FF Plus and PA hold 53 seats in Johannesburg, 67 in Tshwane and 54 in Ekurhuleni, enough to decide which big party can govern.
ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont met the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Build One South Africa (BOSA) on Wednesday, 11 November, to discuss working together (EWN). ActionSA says it wants partnerships that strengthen its hand, particularly in the metros (EWN).
On their own, ActionSA, the FF Plus and the PA don't come close to governing any Gauteng metro. But together they decide whether the DA or the ANC can get over the line in all three, according to Reported's calculation from the final seats.
No formal metro agreement has been announced (MDNtv).
How many seats do ActionSA, FF Plus and PA have together?
| Metro | ActionSA | FF Plus | PA | Together | Needed to govern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | 43 | 5 | 5 | 53 | 136 of 270 |
| Tshwane | 48 | 17 | 2 | 67 | 108 of 214 |
| Ekurhuleni | 40 | 11 | 3 | 54 | 113 of 224 |
Sources: final seats from Rateweb using IEC results, 9 November 2026: Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni. The IEC results dashboard has the official figures. BOSA's seats are not included.
What happens if this group joins the DA or the ANC?
| Combination | Johannesburg (136) | Tshwane (108) | Ekurhuleni (113) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DA + ActionSA + FF Plus + PA | 144, yes | 141, yes | 120, yes |
| ANC + ActionSA + FF Plus + PA | 116, 20 short | 111, yes | 113, yes, exactly |
Reported's calculation from the seats above (DA: 91, 74 and 66; ANC: 63, 44 and 59). A total that adds up doesn't mean those parties have agreed to work together.
Which partners do these parties want?
They don't all point the same way.
- PA leader Gayton McKenzie named the FF Plus, ActionSA and the ANC as preferred partners. He said the PA doesn't like the DA much but would work with everyone (SABC News).
- FF Plus leader Corné Mulder has argued for DA, ActionSA and FF Plus coalitions in the Gauteng metros (MDNtv).
- Beaumont said ActionSA reached out to the DA, ANC, EFF, FF Plus and MK Party in Johannesburg, and that "the solution to Johannesburg is an ActionSA mayor" (Moneyweb).
Have ActionSA and the PA agreed anything yet?
Yes, in one small council. The PA will back ActionSA's mayoral candidate in Laingsburg in the Karoo, and says further agreements in councils where both have seats will be announced as they are concluded (IOL).
What else is happening today?
The ANC's national executive committee meets on Thursday to adopt a mandate for its negotiators, and the DA is expected to meet ActionSA the same day (EWN; Daily Maverick).
FAQ
Who did ActionSA meet on 11 November 2026?
National chairperson Michael Beaumont met the FF Plus, the Patriotic Alliance and Build One South Africa to discuss collaboration, according to EWN.
How many seats do ActionSA, the FF Plus and the PA have in Tshwane?
Together 67 of 214, based on final seats: ActionSA 48, FF Plus 17 and PA 2. 108 seats are needed to govern.
Can ActionSA, FF Plus and PA govern a metro alone?
No. Their combined seats fall well short of a majority in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.
Has a Gauteng metro coalition been signed?
No formal metro agreement had been announced at the time of publishing. The first PA and ActionSA deal is in Laingsburg in the Western Cape.
Sources
- EWN: Coalition talks, ANC to convene special meeting
- MDNtv: ActionSA in coalition talks with FF+ and PA
- SABC News: PA favours coalition with FF+, ActionSA and ANC
- Moneyweb: ActionSA lays down conditions for Joburg coalition deal
- Rateweb: Johannesburg results
- Rateweb: Tshwane results
- Rateweb: Ekurhuleni results
- IEC results dashboard
- IOL: Laingsburg PA-ActionSA deal
- Daily Maverick: ANC NEC to decide Gauteng coalition strategy