ANC and MK to meet this weekend: where a deal would have a majority
MK's Dali Mpofu says MK will meet the ANC this weekend on coalitions. On IEC seats, an ANC and MK deal would hold eThekwini (123 of 112 needed) and Msunduzi, but fall far short in Joburg and Ekurhuleni.
The MK Party and the ANC plan to meet this weekend about possible coalitions, MK's Dali Mpofu told a media briefing on Friday, The Citizen reported. On current seats, an ANC and MK deal would have a majority in eThekwini and Msunduzi, but would be far short in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.
The ANC is expected to announce its plan of action after its NEC meeting ends on Saturday, according to The Citizen.
What did MK say about talks with the ANC?
Mpofu said MK had already held exploratory talks with the ANC and would invite the party to meet over the weekend, The Citizen reported. He said MK would appeal to the ANC "to avoid its own demise", and was speaking at a briefing of the group of parties calling themselves the Council of the Left.
Where would an ANC and MK deal have a majority?
Reported added up the seats from IEC results published by Rateweb.
| Council (majority) | MK | ANC | MK + ANC | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eThekwini (112 of 222) | 86 | 37 | 123 | Majority |
| Msunduzi (41 of 81) | 31 | 17 | 48 | Majority |
| Johannesburg (136 of 270) | 15 | 63 | 78 | Short by 58 |
| Ekurhuleni (113 of 224) | 15 | 59 | 74 | Short by 39 |
Seats: eThekwini, Msunduzi, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni results on Rateweb.
Adding the EFF's 17 Joburg seats and 14 Ekurhuleni seats would still leave the bloc short in both metros (Rateweb Joburg; Rateweb Ekurhuleni).
What options is the ANC weighing?
Business Day sources at the NEC meeting in Boksburg said three options were discussed most, Business Day reported:
| Option | What it means | Reported reaction inside the NEC |
|---|---|---|
| Grand coalition | Partner the DA for stable metro majorities | Stiff resistance from many members |
| Smaller parties | Team up with ActionSA, the EFF, MK and the PA, for example to keep eThekwini | Some warned of "transactional politics" |
| Opposition | Step back from municipal power to rebuild | Others warned of long-term irrelevance |
Source: Business Day.
The ANC is expected to move to municipality-by-municipality deals instead of one national formula, Business Day reported. The NEC also reportedly resolved that the DA should be a "last resort" partner, IOL reported.
Who else is pushing the ANC away from the DA?
The ANC Youth League wants the ANC to end its partnership with the DA. Secretary-general Tsakani Shiviti said the league would keep lobbying the ANC NEC, but was bound by ANC decisions, IOL reported.
When must councils elect mayors?
The municipal manager must call a new council's first meeting within 14 days after it is declared elected, under section 29(2) of the Municipal Structures Act. With results declared on 8 November, first meetings are expected by 22 November, and that is where speakers and mayors are elected, IOL reported.
Reported will update this article when the ANC announces its coalition plan.
FAQ
Are the ANC and MK Party meeting about coalitions?
MK's Dali Mpofu said on 13 November 2026 that MK would meet the ANC over the weekend about possible coalitions, The Citizen reported.
Would an ANC and MK coalition run eThekwini?
On IEC seat results, MK has 86 and the ANC 37 in eThekwini, a total of 123 against the 112 needed for a majority.
Could an ANC and MK deal govern Johannesburg?
No. MK has 15 and the ANC 63 seats in Johannesburg, 78 in total, well short of the 136 needed.
When will the ANC announce its coalition plan?
The ANC is expected to announce its plan of action after its NEC meeting ends on Saturday, 14 November 2026.