KIMBERLEY, NORTHERN CAPE — The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) has expressed strong satisfaction with its performance in the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE 2026), reporting significant growth in ward representation and outlining a strategic vision for municipal coalitions across South Africa. With vote counting concluding in key provinces, party leadership highlighted their expanded national footprint and detailed their approach to navigating the new era of hung councils.
Northern Cape Gains and the Rise of Coalitions
In the Northern Cape, where vote counting reached approximately 98%, the African National Congress (ANC) maintained a lead with roughly 41.3% to 41.5% of the vote, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) at around 21.9% to 22.5%, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at 8.9%. The results also highlighted the strong performance of the Rise Tsantsabane Communities (RTC), a young party that has secured a potential kingmaker position in the region.
Against this backdrop, the Freedom Front Plus celebrated exceeding its 2021 high-water mark. Wouter Wessels, FF Plus Member of Parliament, noted that the party grew significantly in the province, gaining two new wards that they did not hold in 2021. This growth brings their total to 14 councilors in the Northern Cape.
“We are going to play a significant role in hung councils,” Wessels stated, emphasizing that the party’s primary focus is on implementing their manifesto to ensure municipalities work effectively for residents. He added that any coalition negotiations would be based strictly on what is in the best interest of the local communities.
Dr. Wynand Boshoff, FF Plus leader in the Northern Cape, confirmed that the party is set to increase its provincial representation to 16 seats, including district municipalities. Highlighting the party’s broad provincial footprint, Dr. Boshoff noted that their new wards are spread across the region, distinguishing them from localized parties. He specifically pointed to gains in the Timber the Uptown municipality, the Fraserburg Ward in Kuhan municipality, and the Danielskuil ward in Kgatelopele.
When discussing coalition dynamics, Dr. Boshoff described coalition government as the “new normal” and the future of South African politics. He ruled out any cooperation with the EFF, citing a lack of shared values, but expressed a strong willingness to work with the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and the DA. He also left the door open for “governments of local unity” modeled after the national Government of National Unity (GNU), provided such decisions are finalized at the national level to ensure five years of stable governance.
National Outlook: Building a Foundation for 2029
On a national level, FF Plus leadership views the 2026 local government elections as a critical stepping stone. Corne Mulder, FF Plus leader, described the party’s overall national results as “excellent,” noting that the 2029 national and provincial elections effectively begin with the foundation laid during this electoral cycle.
Mulder emphasized that the FF Plus is a truly national party with a footprint across all nine provinces. He highlighted a broadening support base, noting significant upticks in areas where the party previously did not feature strongly, including the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo.
Addressing coalition strategies, Mulder was unequivocal about the party’s stance on the ANC. “We need less ANC and not more ANC in government,” he asserted, expressing a desire to see the ANC removed from local government due to the disarray of the past three decades.
Looking at specific metros like Tshwane, Mulder outlined a potential path to a highly stable coalition between the DA, ActionSA, and the FF Plus. He noted that the era of fragmented coalitions reliant on numerous small, one-person parties is ending, paving the way for more stable, streamlined agreements.
The GNU and a Broadening Party Identity
Addressing the party’s participation in the national Government of National Unity, Mulder explained that while the ANC does not technically need the FF Plus for numerical superiority, the party’s performance makes them a vital asset. He stressed that the FF Plus requires more representation in the national executive, not less. While he suggested that “governments of local unity” could replicate the national GNU model in certain municipalities, he believes smaller, two-party coalitions will be the most likely and stable outcome locally.
Finally, addressing the party’s identity, Mulder pushed back against the perception that the FF Plus is solely an Afrikaner-focused party. While acknowledging a strong historical base, he emphasized that the party has moved far beyond this, successfully electing candidates from diverse communities throughout South Africa.
As the final results from the largest metros are tallied, the Freedom Front Plus remains confident in its expanded mandate, ready to take its place at the negotiating table to shape the future of South Africa’s local governance.
