By Geoff Embling
The balance of power in Makana Municipality is lopsided because the incumbent Makana Citizens Front (MCF) councillors tend to vote with the ANC.
For example, when the DA proposed motions of no confidence against the Speaker and against the previous municipal manager, the MCF voted with the ANC. More recently, the DA voted against the proposed IDP and budget because Makana did not budget enough money for infrastructure repairs, and because of the high increase in rates and service charges. The MCF councillors, however, voted with the ANC to adopt the budget.
The original MCF councillors have not been reinstated due to decisions made by the IEC, the municipality, in addition to court appeals. Furthermore, it is not clear which original MCF councillors would return, since their strongest councillor, with his legal and municipal experience, has allegedly found gainful employment; and Makana’s beloved Jane Bradshaw now lives in Joburg.
Makana’s two EFF councillors swing whichever way the wind blows them, and the independent councillor from Ward 14 in Alicedale tends to vote with the ANC (when he attends council meetings). Thirteen opposition councillors to fourteen ANC councillors may sound as if the opposition is relatively strong in Makana, but this is not so due to infighting within the MCF.
Local government elections are held every five years, roughly two years after national elections; so, the next local election will be held in 2026. The ANC in Makana squeaked through with a majority of 50.65% in the previous local election in 2021, 13 opposition seats to 14 ANC. The ANC in Makana won 81.10% of the vote in 2006, 72.55% in 2011, 61.84% in 2016 and 50.65% in 2021, so if it continues its current trend, it will get roughly 40% in the upcoming 2026 local election.
Last week, Helen Zille mentioned on Alec Hogg’s BizNews report that the DA were a few percentage points behind the ANC in Gauteng, “very close on their heels”, and that if opposition voters hadn’t spread their vote amongst smaller parties, the DA would be in charge of Gauteng now instead of the ANC.
Let Helen Zille’s words be a warning for the 2026 municipal election in Makana.
- Geoff Embling is the DA’s ward 4 councillor in the Makana Municipality.
