Winning Joburg votes may not guarantee city hall for DA

Despite DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille's energetic campaign and recent polls showing the party close to an outright majority, other political parties, including the Patriotic Alliance, ActionSA, EFF, and Al Jama-ah, have expressed unwillingness to support Zille as mayor. This creates a complex situation where the DA might emerge as the largest party but be unable to secure the mayoral position. A potential, though previously unlikely, alliance with the ANC is being considered, especially given the precedent set by the government of national unity.

Such a partnership could offer stability in Gauteng's metros, which have lacked it. However, the terms of such a deal, including who would lead Joburg, Tshwane, or Ekurhuleni, could become part of a larger, Gauteng-wide negotiation. The DA's challenge extends beyond campaigning to convincing other parties to support a DA-led government without compromising their political identities, potentially requiring policy compromises and a credible coalition agreement to avoid constant motions of no confidence.

Helen Zille's combative style is also noted as a potential obstacle to coalition-building in a fragmented political landscape.