Boardroom Talk: Cederberg by-election result delivers positive message for concept of coalitions

Right now, there's plenty of noise around the way SA's new political coalitions AREN'T working. Particularly in Gauteng where Gayton McKenzie's Patriotic Alliance is shamelessly wielding its swing vote. This raises concerns about growing political instability after the 2024 National Election which is only 18 months away. But it's not all bad news.

In Wednesday's fiercely fought by-election in the small West Coast fishing town of Lambert's Bay, a coalition between the DA, FF+ and local Cederberg Eerste parties saw off the challenge from McKenzie's lot. The election was triggered after DA-elected councillor William Farmer switched to vote with the PA. He was the party's candidate this week.

The three coalition parties agreed to avoid splitting their vote by getting behind the DA's candidate John Hayes, a medical doctor who has practiced in the town for 35 years. This helped Hayes to comfortably defeat Farmer – enabling the coalition to re-take a grip on control of the Cederberg Municipality from the ANC/PA compact.

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