Council of the Left Demands People-First Agenda in Hung Municipalities
Council of the Left Demands People-First Agenda in Hung Municipalities
As negotiations intensify for control of hung municipalities, the Council of the Left has issued a directive demanding that prospective coalition partners adopt a 'people-first' agenda. The bloc, comprising the SACP, MK Party, EFF, and Afrika Mayibuye, insists that local government must prioritize service delivery for impoverished residents over the demands of wealthy businesses and political expediency.
The Council of the Left has called for a fundamental shift in how hung municipalities are governed, demanding that any prospective coalition partner commit to a minimum programme prioritizing poor residents over business interests and political maneuvering.
As parties negotiate the composition of local government in areas where no single party holds a majority, the bloc—which includes the South African Communist Party (SACP), the MK Party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and Afrika Mayibuye—argued that councils must treat the needs of impoverished households with the same urgency they currently afford commercial entities.
Thato Magogodi, deputy president of Afrika Mayibuye, stated that municipalities have historically failed to serve their primary constituents. He noted that local governments often respond readily to demands from businesses and wealthy residents while adopting a harder line when poor citizens seek assistance.
"When the poor have certain expectations, [they] go hard on them," Magogodi said. "A council must not just become a platform to manage the affairs of the rich."
The bloc emphasized that service delivery remains the critical test of this proposed approach. Magogodi pointed to water supply as a primary example, arguing that reliable access is essential not only for households but also for employers who need to retain workers. He cited a factory in Ditsobotla, North West, whose operations were disrupted due to the municipality's inability to provide consistent water.
Magogodi also highlighted instances where residents have been forced to navigate sewage infrastructure failures while officials engaged in blame-shifting. He argued that a responsive council would act immediately when such issues are raised by the community rather than delaying action for political convenience.
The Council of the Left described its proposed model as "centres of people’s power," designed to place the interests of South Africans ahead of those of politicians and political parties. While acknowledging that services must be paid for, Magogodi clarified that councils must recognize households that cannot afford payments and ensure continuity of essential utilities.
The proposal comes amid intensifying negotiations in several municipalities where coalition governments are being formed. The bloc is urging all potential partners to adopt these principles as a baseline requirement for governance.
Th.Baumann--VZ
