Ward by-elections are dominated by political parties and our only chance at direct elections becomes another process that involves the courts, the police and a series of negotiations behind closed doors. It’s not surprising that our analysis is focused on party rivalries and power balances. If your role in representative government is reduced to that of spectator, you start to seek out the spectacle.
The tables below summarise the results of the 26 November by-elections. Most of the wards were retained by the incumbent parties, although the ANC and the NFP lost a ward each:
by Paul Berkowitz and Wayne Sussman The tables below summarise the state of the 31 wards contested on Wednesday. Remember that there are also 6 PR seats (3 in Inkwanca and 3 in Mooi Mpofana) and 16 district council seats in Ngaka Modiri Molewa that are up for grabs:
by Wayne Sussman Inkwanca lies in the Eastern Cape, Chris Hani district, in the shadow of the Stormberg Mountains. This is the coldest part of the country, and former ANC councilors will be feeling the chill during Wednesday’s by-elections.
The by-elections on Wednesday 26 November are set to be the biggest since the 2011 municipal elections, and possibly the biggest in South Africa’s election history. There are a stonking 31 wards up for election, although five wards will be uncontested.