Launch: Guidelines on Administrative Continuity During Coalition Instability
Developed by the Dullah Omar Institute, in partnership with the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Western Cape Government, the Guidelines respond to the growing importance of coalition government in South African municipalities. They provide practical guidance to help municipalities maintain sound governance, administrative stability and continuity in service delivery during periods of political change and coalition instability.
On 8 October 2026 the Dullah Omar Institute, together with the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Western Cape Government, hosted the launch of the Guidelines on Administrative Continuity During Coalition Instability.
Coalition governments have become an increasingly prominent feature of South Africa’s local government landscape. While changes in political leadership are an inherent part of democratic governance, prolonged coalition instability can undermine municipal administration, delay decision-making, weaken institutional accountability and disrupt service delivery. The Administrative Continuity during Coalition Instability Guidelines, developed by the Dullah Omar Institute at the University of the Western Cape in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Western Cape Provincial Government, seek to assist municipalities in navigating these challenges. The Guidelines draw on an analysis of local government law, policy and practice, complemented by interviews with experienced municipal and provincial government practitioners.
The Guidelines offer practical measures to safeguard administrative continuity during periods of political instability. They address key legal aspects of coalition governance and provide recommendations on strengthening municipal rules of order, clarifying institutional roles and responsibilities, improving systems of delegation and managing senior administrative appointments. Particular attention is given to the leadership responsibilities of municipal managers and senior officials, including maintaining political neutrality and institutional stability, as well as the supporting role of provincial government. Although developed with Western Cape municipalities in mind, the Guidelines offer valuable lessons for municipalities seeking to strengthen their resilience to political change and ensure that essential municipal functions continue irrespective of shifts in political leadership.
Click here to download the Guidelines on Administrative Continuity During Coalition Instability.
