MPUMALANGA — The Service Delivery Party (SDP) has emerged as a formidable political force after securing 39 seats in Mpumalanga during the recent local government elections, positioning itself strategically for upcoming coalition negotiations.
Despite being officially launched only on January 10 of this year, the relatively new political formation has made significant waves across the country. Beyond its stronghold in Mpumalanga, the Service Delivery Party secured a seat each in Gauteng, the Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal. This brings their national total to 46 seats across four provinces and 19 different municipalities.
A major highlight of their electoral success is securing an outright majority in the Victor Khanye Local Municipality. This area holds special significance, as it is the birthplace of the party. Speaking to the media, Service Delivery Party spokesperson Uhuru Mofokeng described the electoral outcome as a massive vote of confidence from South Africans, signaling that the party now has a recognized space within the social and political fabric of the country. He noted that the party’s dominance in Victor Khanye was largely due to having more time to campaign in their founding region compared to other parts of the province.
With no single party achieving an absolute majority, coalition building is essential. Mofokeng emphasized a practical approach to these negotiations, stating that voters have clearly mandated politicians to find common ground and work together. The party has already held meetings with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) to discuss basic principles and working conditions. However, Mofokeng stressed that their doors remain open to any organization, including the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), should they wish to engage.
While open to compromise, the party has drawn a firm line on its core mandates. Mofokeng outlined several non-negotiable principles for any potential coalition partner. These include the strict prioritization of basic service delivery by all municipal councils, the localization of the economy by prioritizing ratepayers for business opportunities and unemployment solutions, and an unwavering commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability.
Looking ahead, the focus extends to the 14 hung municipalities in the province. Mofokeng explained that their negotiation strategy is not just about immediate election outcomes, but about establishing proper working relations to ensure long-term stability. Referencing the coalition instability seen in South African politics since 2021, the spokesperson argued that preempting problems and finding the “gray area” is crucial. He reaffirmed that negotiation remains the gold standard in the country’s democratic framework, expressing confidence in reaching positive outcomes for the municipalities.
