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Which politicians will sleep with their opposition?

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In the hotly contested Nelson Mandela Bay early on the morning of 5 August 2016 the DA held 46.65%, the ANC 40.99% and the EFF 5.07% of the total votes cast in the 2016 Municipal Elections.

With 5 Wards left to be announced in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro – Wards 2 (probably to the DA), 37 (Close run between DA and ANC), 43 (Could this be the EFF’s only seat?), 47 (Probably ANC) and 59 (Probably ANC) – the Democratic Alliance’s eyes will be turning to a coalition for that vital over 50% vote in Council.

In a pure numbers game the first choice 5 year dancing partner for the DA is the EFF who are currently third in line with 5.07%. But this could be an uneasy alliance with the one waltzing and the other break dancing to a different tune. The other thought is: How long can the DA sustain a relationship on the basis of ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’!

The ANC would have to secure two dancing partners in ex-lovers, EFF and UDM, in order to get to 47.99% – an impossible ask.

At present the total percentage of the vote held by the other 18 parties aside from the ANC and DA amounts to 12.37%. A tempting number to draw into a coalition for the next five years.

Coming into the home straight the votes were:

  • DA: 46.65%
  • ANC: 40.99%
  • EFF: 5.07%
  • UDM: 1.93%
  • IND: 0.96%
  • AIC: 0.95%
  • UFEC: 0.95%
  • COPE: 0.73%
  • ACDP: 0.36%
  • PA: 0.27%
  • VF PLUS: 0.25%
  • CDP: 0.19%
  • PAC: 0.17%
  • AD: 0.16%
  • APC: 0.1%
  • ICOSA: 0.09%
  • AZAPO: 0.09%
  • UBUNTU: 0.04%
  • APM: 0.03%
  • BACS: 0.03%

With the ANC holding 52.3% of the vote in the 2011 elections the then ruling party had to ensure that all of their councillors were present whenever votes vital to the party were held. That worrying position now falls to the Democratic Alliance who will not only have to ensure that their own councillors are present but also their coalition partners who will have to be fully apprised before each vote.

It looks like we will still have fighting in the kindergarten for many more years to come. BUT, my fervent wish is always that the political parties park their petty politicking with their expensive new cars before they enter Council Chambers.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.