OPINION - The value of having options cannot be understated, whether it is in selecting a new paint colour for your home or deciding on the make and model of your next vehicle. Even Rassie appreciates a range of options when selecting his team. 

This principle holds true for the George Local Municipality, which is currently navigating a period marked by important decision making.

A closer look at the numbers reveals the complexity of the situation. The George Council is composed of 55 seats. Initially, the Democratic Alliance (DA) held 27 seats, while the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) held 1 seat, giving the ruling coalition a slim majority of 28 out of 55 seats.

However, following the recent resignation of two ward councillors, the DA’s representation has dropped to 25 seats, with the ACDP still holding 1 seat. This reduces their total to 26 out of 55 seats, which is insufficient to secure a majority and pass coalition decisions in council.

Turning to the opposition, the numbers are similarly tight. The African National Congress (ANC) holds 10 seats, Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (PBI) has 5, Freedom Front Plus (VF+) holds 4, GOOD has 3, Patriotic Alliance (PA) 3, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) 2, resulting in a combined opposition total of 27 out of 55 seats. This is also not enough to form a majority. 

It should be noted that the two councillor positions vacated at the DA will remain unfilled until after the by-elections, which are expected to take place in January 2026.

What does this mean for the next three months? The key issue is not simply which side has more councillors present, but whether either side can achieve quorum. 

A majority at a council meeting is quite simply determined by the number of councillors present, not by the overall number of seats, but for any council sitting to have a quorum and to be legally constituted, 28 councillors must always be present. If opposition members decide not to attend, neither the ruling coalition nor the opposition currently has enough members to meet this threshold.

To maintain its position and ensure stability before the upcoming by-elections, the DA/ACDP coalition will need to form an alliance with at least one added party. Feasible options include VF+ (4) or PBI (5). Securing such a partnership would help the coalition safeguard its leadership position, regardless of the by-election outcomes.

Alternatively, the opposition parties could attempt to collaborate with the ACDP, securing the single seat needed to reach the quorum of 28 and to have a majority. However, this arrangement may be short-lived, as the DA still retains several avenues to pursue.

Ultimately, the situation remains fluid, and the outcome will depend on future developments and alliances within the council.

Andrew Stroebel is the former mayor of Garden Route District Municipality.

Comment and opinion are that of the author and not necessarily shared by Group Editors, any of its publications or staff members.

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