Patriotic Alliance gears up for governance following elections

By: Staff Reporter

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) is gearing up for governance in at least six municipalities following a power-sharing deal with the ANC.

Following marathon discussions between the two organisations, a consensus has been reached, and that will also see the PA leading its first municipality. Other aspects of the deal will see the party occupying mayoral seats and, in some instances, running departments.

Also read: Patriotic Alliance hits back at the xenophobic tag

Here is the breakdown of the agreement:
Karoo-Hoogland: 100% PA government
Sol Plaatje: 1 Mayoral Committee Member (Mayco/MMC)
Mangaung: 1. MMC
Ekurhuleni: 1. MMC
JB Marks: 2 MayCo
Rand West: 2 MayCo
Emfuleni: 1 MayCo seat
Kou-Kamma: Mayor
Laingsburg: Mayor
Beaufort West: Mayor
Bitou: Mayor
COJ: 2 MMC positions
Prince Albert: Deputy Mayor

PA president Gayton McKenzie described the move as the biggest power-sharing deal ever witnessed in the country. McKenzie said that as the people’s leader with no jobs, no food, no opportunities, the PA could not afford to sit in the opposition benches as there were no jobs or opportunities.

Also read: Patriotic Alliance promises a clean start for voters

He further praised the respect the ANC showed his organisation during the negotiations, which made the deal possible.

“I am in awe of the way the ANC handled the negotiations under the leadership of TG Paul Mashatile and DSG Jesse Duarte. They treated us as equals, although they had much more votes, the atmosphere in which the negotiations transpired was extremely cordial and respectful,” he said.

McKenzie added that being in government is the start, but the real work will be delivering services to the poor.

“I wanna thank the PA voters and the leadership of the PA for negotiating such a groundbreaking power-sharing agreement. We have a mammoth task to deliver services to our people, and that we shall achieve. As the Patriotic Alliance, we shall make sure that this coalition lasts for five years,” he said.