THE GATHERING 2026: Zille draws coalition red lines as DA targets Joburg majority

At The Gathering 2026, Democratic Alliance (DA) chairperson Helen Zille announced that the party will not enter into coalition agreements with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) or the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party. Zille cited fundamental ideological differences as the primary reason for these exclusions, stating that such partnerships would hinder the effectiveness of municipal governance.

The DA is currently campaigning to secure an outright majority in Johannesburg, a goal Zille describes as essential to 'rescue the city.' By setting these coalition red lines, the party is positioning itself to avoid the complexities of multi-party governance in the upcoming election cycle, focusing instead on achieving a governing mandate that does not rely on the EFF or MK.