JOHANNESBURG, Monday 9 November 2026 — RISE Mzansi and the GOOD Party have confirmed that their electoral partnership secured 23 council seats across 12 municipalities in South Africa’s local government elections, with the parties preparing to coordinate coalition negotiations and pursue closer political integration ahead of 2029.
The parties’ joint leadership met on Monday to assess the election results and determine their approach to the formation of new municipal governments.
In a joint statement issued by RISE Mzansi national leader Songezo Zibi and GOOD Party leader Patricia de Lille, the parties confirmed that formal coalition negotiations with other political formations would begin later this week.
Partnership secures representation in three Gauteng metros
The parties said their combined electoral performance secured six seats in Cape Town, five in Johannesburg, two in Ekurhuleni and one in Tshwane.
They also secured two seats in Stellenbosch and one each in Mogale City, Drakenstein, Saldanha Bay, Breede Valley, Theewaterskloof, George and the Cape Winelands District Municipality.
The results give the partnership representation in all three Gauteng metropolitan councils and several Western Cape municipalities.
Although the parties’ combined numbers are relatively small in the major metros, their councillors could become relevant to coalition calculations where larger parties need additional support to elect municipal leaders or pass council decisions.
Formal coalition talks to begin later this week
RISE Mzansi and GOOD confirmed that informal discussions with other political parties had already taken place.
However, they said formal negotiations had not yet begun and were expected to start later in the week.
The parties did not identify preferred coalition partners or announce any agreement concerning mayoral positions, municipal executive appointments or other leadership arrangements.
Their joint approach follows a cooperation framework announced in May, under which RISE Mzansi led their coordinated campaign activities in Gauteng while GOOD took the lead in the Western Cape.
The arrangement allowed the parties to coordinate election activities while maintaining their separate political identities.
Parties reaffirm plans for closer integration ahead of 2029
The joint leadership also reaffirmed its intention to pursue organisational consolidation ahead of the 2029 national and provincial elections.
The parties said they were working towards contesting future elections under a single name.
The proposal represents a continuation of their existing political cooperation rather than a completed merger.
Earlier efforts to establish a broader electoral arrangement involving Build One South Africa were revised before the 2026 municipal elections, with the parties adopting a phased approach to cooperation.
RISE Mzansi and GOOD have now indicated that their municipal election performance provides a foundation for further integration.
Councillors prepare for inaugural council meetings
The parties said the RISE Mzansi National Leadership Collective and GOOD Leadership Council would meet over the coming days to finalise administrative preparations for their newly elected councillors.
These preparations will include ensuring that councillors are ready to be sworn in and briefed on their responsibilities.
The parties also intend to engage their local structures through in-person and virtual meetings.
The next stage will be the commencement of formal coalition negotiations and the constitution of municipal councils, where the partnership’s elected representatives will take up their positions.
