New twists in coalition talks

Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh unpacks the latest coalition negotiations following South Africa’s 2026 local government elections and asks whether the country is entering a fundamental political realignment. With reports emerging from the ANC’s NEC that the DA should be treated as a last resort in local coalitions, Sizwe examines what this could mean for Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, including the possibility of Herman Mashaba and Nasiphi Moya leading two of Gauteng’s biggest metros. He also explores the battle for eThekwini, the prospect of an MK–IFP arrangement in KwaZulu-Natal, the finely balanced contest in Mangaung and likely outcomes in Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay. Turning to the national picture, Sizwe considers whether being frozen out of Gauteng could push the DA away from the GNU, what this could mean for Cyril Ramaphosa’s position inside the ANC, and whether a completely different coalition era could be emerging nationally and locally.

Coalition negotiations continue to get more and more interesting, as political parties rush to meet with each other to agree on council leaderships before the 14 day deadline. In this episode, we zone in particularly on Gauteng and give you the latest updates on the coalitions in Joburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

Vusimusi Cat Matlala wraps up his testimony at the Madlanga Commission today and in this testimony, he was grilled on his relationship and links with the likes of Bheki Cele, Senzo Mchunu, Calvin Rafadi and many others. In this episode, we unpack his evidence as well as what it means for the bigger picture that the Madlanga Commission is looking into. We also zoom in on the defamation case against Helen Zille, that EFF Leader Julius Malema is lodging. 

Does former President Thabo Mbeki’s criticism signal the beginning of the end of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s dominance over the ANC? Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh unpacks Mbeki’s remarks, assesses the promises of the “new dawn” and examines the ANC’s electoral decline. From weak economic growth and unemployment to resignation reports, calls for an early elective conference and tensions over coalitions with the DA, this analysis explores the pressures facing the party’s leadership—and how the Madlanga Commission and Phala Phala could deepen its internal reckoning.

As coalition negotiations progress, we unpack the possibility of various permutations, some that include and some that exclude the DA and ANC. What are the implications for the ANC and DA's relationship and the GNU? Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh unpacks.

Vusimusi Cat Matlala testified at the Madlanga Commission today, on its resumption of public hearings after a 26 day break whilst they conducted in-camera hearings. In his testimony, Matlala was taken through his s204 statement that formed part of his plea deal with IDAC in his corruption trial regarding the Medicare24 tender fraud. In this statement, he makes serious allegations about senior politicians in government and in the police service. Otsile Nkadimeng unpacks!

The Madlanga Commission is back and when we expected Vusimusi Cat Matlala to give evidence, the day started with arguments about whether his collapsed plea deal statement can be admissible and used by the Commission in his testimony. Once a ruling was made, an attempt to go in-camera was lodged by Matlala's counsel. Was this an attempt to delay proceedings? Oratile Kekana unpacks.

How will the Government of National Unity be affected by the local government elections and their results.

ANC SG Fikile Mbalula reacts to the 2026 Election results, and the ANC's performance.

EFF Leader, Julius Malema, held a press briefing and reacted to the 2026 Election Results.