Independents and smaller parties in for a windfall in local government elections

The November local government polls are just around the corner. And with growing predictions of coalition outcomes being touted for key municipalities across the country, experts are also calling it a windfall season for the independent candidates.

The stand-alone contenders participating countrywide have run campaigns based on identity politics, and have raised personal constituency issues such as safety, jobs and service delivery. Even President Cyril Ramaphosa noted the increase in independent candidates, indicating that “SA is a strong democracy”.

Voters will be choosing from more than 94,000 candidates, including those from political parties and independents. Many of the election posters on street poles and billboards are for parties and candidates who have not previously participated in local government elections.

Political commentator Wayne Sussman points to November 1 being the most critical local government election the country has seen, saying the electorate is spoilt for choice when it comes to the diverse field of independent and smaller parties.

“With the number of independents contesting the poll up from the 2016 figure of 865 to 1,546 — a record — this time around, we could see some independents and smaller parties making huge inroads,” said Sussman. “We have seen a trend in the campaigns of both independent and small parties with the focus on identity being a focal point, given the general mood of minorities in the country.”

He said the increased disenchantment with the traditionally bigger players has also resulted in concerns around crime and safety, and service delivery. These have been made worse by Eskom’s woes and the state of the economy. Independent candidates and smaller parties have put these on the top of their agenda.

Sussman points to the high numbers of independents in such provinces as the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

“In the Western Cape, we have seen Al Jama-ah, the African Islamic Movement and the Cape Muslim Congress focusing on Muslim and Islamic religious principles. The GOOD party and the Patriotic Alliance have also mustered aggressive election campaigns.”

He says the same trend is evident in KwaZulu-Natal, with parties such as the African Democratic Change (ADEC), and Active Citizen’s Coalition (ACC) contesting the elections in traditional Muslim areas, with safety and service delivery being their campaign focus.

Elsewhere in the region, stalwart members of the ANC are running as independents in uMngeni Municipality, along with the KZN Independence party.

On the focus of campaigns by niche parties, Sussman says the youth have the Youth Independence Party and Youth Associates, and those embracing environment issues can opt for the Greens.

“When it comes to niche party agendas, I see the Freedom Front Plus making huge inroads in the municipalities they are contesting and ActionSA also achieving success,” he said.

University of KwaZulu-Natal political scientist Lubna Nadvi agrees with the sentiments of the independent and smaller party candidates influencing the electorate and taking up a larger chunk of the votes this time around, but calls on voters to research their candidates before making their choices.

“There are many new faces, not necessarily ones who have held positions previously. So voters need to be discerning, and make sure those called to lead can do their job and are held accountable,” said Nadvi.

She also agrees with the sentiments of “coalition politics” being a possible reality after the poll. And with the chances of outright wins being slim, independents and smaller parties could well play a role in determining the new face of local government.

“Given the nature of politics, coalitions can be a messy business, as it is in the final analysis a marriage of sorts. To prevent conflicts and get the job done, it will be important for all tasked to serve the electorate to remember to stay away from personality politics, making sure that the laws of the country are used more effectively to ensure a smooth running of municipalities.”