PSC2601
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 9 April 2026
An analysis of coalition politics at local government level
1. Introduction
Local government in South Africa has changed significantly since the 2016 municipal
elections. Before this period, most municipalities were controlled by a single dominant party.
However, the emergence of hung councils forced political parties to work together through
coalition governments. These coalitions have introduced new governance dynamics,
including shared power and negotiation between parties. While coalitions create
opportunities for inclusive governance, they also bring instability and conflict. This essay
examines coalition governments by defining key concepts, explaining how they work,
discussing their strengths and weaknesses, and analysing the experience of the City of
Johannesburg. It also provides recommendations to improve coalition governance.
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
An analysis of coalition politics at local government level
1. Introduction
Local government in South Africa has changed significantly since the 2016 municipal
elections. Before this period, most municipalities were controlled by a single
dominant party. However, the emergence of hung councils forced political parties to
work together through coalition governments. These coalitions have introduced new
governance dynamics, including shared power and negotiation between parties.
While coalitions create opportunities for inclusive governance, they also bring
instability and conflict. This essay examines coalition governments by defining key
concepts, explaining how they work, discussing their strengths and weaknesses, and
analysing the experience of the City of Johannesburg. It also provides
recommendations to improve coalition governance.
2. Definition of key concepts
A coalition government refers to a government formed when two or more political
parties agree to share power because no single party has a majority (PSC2601
Study Guide 2017).
A hung council occurs when no political party obtains more than 50 percent of the
seats in a municipal council, making it necessary for parties to cooperate (Knowles
2021).
Local government is the sphere of government responsible for delivering basic
services such as water, electricity and sanitation to communities, and it operates
through municipalities (PSC2601 Study Guide 2017).
3. The notion of coalition governments
Coalition governments arise in democratic systems where no single political party
gains enough support to govern alone. In South Africa, this became more common
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 9 April 2026
An analysis of coalition politics at local government level
1. Introduction
Local government in South Africa has changed significantly since the 2016 municipal
elections. Before this period, most municipalities were controlled by a single dominant party.
However, the emergence of hung councils forced political parties to work together through
coalition governments. These coalitions have introduced new governance dynamics,
including shared power and negotiation between parties. While coalitions create
opportunities for inclusive governance, they also bring instability and conflict. This essay
examines coalition governments by defining key concepts, explaining how they work,
discussing their strengths and weaknesses, and analysing the experience of the City of
Johannesburg. It also provides recommendations to improve coalition governance.
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
An analysis of coalition politics at local government level
1. Introduction
Local government in South Africa has changed significantly since the 2016 municipal
elections. Before this period, most municipalities were controlled by a single
dominant party. However, the emergence of hung councils forced political parties to
work together through coalition governments. These coalitions have introduced new
governance dynamics, including shared power and negotiation between parties.
While coalitions create opportunities for inclusive governance, they also bring
instability and conflict. This essay examines coalition governments by defining key
concepts, explaining how they work, discussing their strengths and weaknesses, and
analysing the experience of the City of Johannesburg. It also provides
recommendations to improve coalition governance.
2. Definition of key concepts
A coalition government refers to a government formed when two or more political
parties agree to share power because no single party has a majority (PSC2601
Study Guide 2017).
A hung council occurs when no political party obtains more than 50 percent of the
seats in a municipal council, making it necessary for parties to cooperate (Knowles
2021).
Local government is the sphere of government responsible for delivering basic
services such as water, electricity and sanitation to communities, and it operates
through municipalities (PSC2601 Study Guide 2017).
3. The notion of coalition governments
Coalition governments arise in democratic systems where no single political party
gains enough support to govern alone. In South Africa, this became more common
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
