Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

28 September 2026

2-minute read

With 69 political parties contesting the Proportional Representational Vote alongside independent candidates, eThekwini is facing one of the most crowded municipal ballots in history.

The sheer number of contestants are causing analysts to question voter choice, voter fragmentation and what the next council could look like.

Political analyst Dr Siyabonga Ntombela states the number of candidates entering the space and trying to fill the gaps indicates that the ANC party is “now starting to show some cracks” and are no longer going to dominate the upcoming election.

Dr Ntombela describes it as a challenge for smaller parties and independent candidates to “penetrate a space that has been dominated by larger parties.” At a city level, they lack the resources necessary to send messages and carry out manifestos. However, at a ward level, he feels that they will be able to address the issues facing their municipalities.

In terms of voter fragmentation, while many people in the province are optimistic about the MK Party “sweeping the vote,” Dr Ntombela feels that the party is unlikely to receive an “outright majority”. At both provincial and national government level, coalition politics will come into play with fragmented councils and smaller parties playing a bigger role.

However, he points out that coalition governments are known to be unstable because decision making is difficult and they cannot “sing from the same hymn book on a number of issues.” Even though the smaller parties may become “kingmakers” in local municipalities, Dr Ntombela points out that because of the large number of candidates and parties, instability is inevitable.

Listen to the full interview with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and Dr Siyabonga Ntombela here.