By Kaya 959 Reporter
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on political parties and newly elected councillors to work together to build communities.
Ramaphosa says the people have spoken. His speech culminated with the end of the country’s local government elections and results announcement
“Those in whom they have placed their trust – the elected councillors – now need to get down to work,” Ramaphosa says.
He adds that in the weeks leading up to the elections, people he met engaged leaders on what they wanted from elected officials.
Ramaphosa says they want better services and representatives to be responsive and accountable.
“They told us about leaking houses, of frustration at electricity cuts, of feeling unsafe because of crime, and of being despondent after years of not working.
“They want to live in a better South Africa with equal opportunity, where their rights are realised, and where they are treated with dignity and respect. Local government must be a force for good, for development, and for progress,” he says.
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Working together
Ramaphosa has urged political parties to put their differences aside and work together.
A record 325 political parties contested the local government elections. Officials say nearly 95 000 candidates participated. Over 1 500 of the candidates were independent.
On Thursday, the IEC declared that the elections were fair.
A national overview of the outcome in terms of the 213 municipalities contested:
- The African National Congress achieved a majority in 161 municipalities.
- Democratic Alliance achieved a majority in 13 municipalities.
- Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) achieved a majority in 10 municipalities
No party has achieved a majority in 66 municipalities. Officials say a hung council requires a coalition between parties.
A hung council means none of the parties secured an outright majority which is more than 50% of the votes.
If a party secured a 50% or over win, it would be allowed to govern on its own and if not, the parties would have to form a coalition and work together.
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