Premium: Choice between rationality and emotion prevail in post-election power-broking

Since Monday, my attention has been focused on SA's Local Elections. Logically, because there is much at stake for the beleaguered city where I live..Those who live in Johannesburg appreciate how much it has deteriorated under the corrupt and incompetent rule of the ANC. The decline has hit our pockets through higher local tax hikes via inflated property valuations and the highest municipal rates in SA. Many have opted out, "semigrating" to Cape Town where governance is better and local taxes provide greater value. It has been the rational choice..After the past few days, however, there's hope. With 97% of Monday's votes counted, the ANC's share of Joburg is down ten percentage points from the last election five years ago, to 34%. The EFF lost a little ground to 10.8%, so these natural partners hold a combined 45% of the votes. Which means, with the help of smaller parties an infinitely preferable DA/ActionSA alliance could now secure control of my home city..___STEADY_PAYWALL___.While Action SA founder Herman Mashaba says he is open to partnering with anyone except the ANC, the DA has been "flying kites" about joining in local coalitions with its Parliamentary rival. Hopefully the feedback to that exercise has been sufficiently negative to disabuse it of that idea. Joburg, and other Metros, need new brushes to sweep very clean..More for you to read today:.* ELECTION 2021: Voter turnout down 24% hits ANC, DA. The newcomers and smaller parties are now kingmakers with a third of SA's municipalities, including most the major Metros, to be ruled by coalitions..* Crushing defeat for Biden's Democrats in Virginia governor's race. A massive swing in the votes in two important elections spell big trouble for the US's ruling party in next year's mind-term elections..* Are Entrepreneurs Happier Than Everybody Else? The short answer is yes. But it's a lot more complicated than that..NB FOR YOUR WALL STREET JOURNAL ACCESS….As a Premium subscriber you are entitled to full membership of wsj.com (normal price $29 a month). Be sure to action your access through the Premium link on the BizNews website. Because of The Wall Street Journal's credential requirements, be sure to create a password which has at least 8 characters and includes at least one letter and one number – NB it MAY NOT contain any special characters (ie #, !, @ etc). To maintain access to WSJ.com, you MUST enter our partner's website via BizNews Premium at least once a month. A final PS, if you had previously signed up for WSJ you'll need to clear the cookies from your device. Our help desk can assist – support@biznews.com.If you'd like to help sustain our independent voice, why not share the love by making a gift that keeps giving? Click here to access the BizNews Premium subscription signup form, and be sure tick the relevant box. At R100 a month and inclusive of full membership of The Wall Street Journal, it's a mind-expanding gift at an incredibly modest price.

Premium: Choice between rationality and emotion prevail in post-election power-broking

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