Gayton open to DA coalition: ‘We are vying for power’

Patriotic Alliance president Gayton McKenzie has expressed interest in working with the Democratic Alliance in a coalition government, despite claiming that he “despises” the political party.

The PA has gained significant ground in the Western Cape and Northern Cape and has emerged as the largest party in Prince Albert, securing 5 out of 10 council seats.

The outspoken leader has also called on his party members to “accept defeat graciously”, after losing two wards in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg

GAYTON MCKENZIE OPEN TO DA COALITION 

Speaking at a media briefing at the IEC national results centre, Gayton McKenzie revealed that the PA’s next agenda was to discuss the way forward on coalition talks, particularly in Prince Albert in the Western Cape, where the party won 5 out of 10 council seats.

The PA’s mayoral candidate for Prince Albert Municipality is Arnold MacKay.

Results revealed that the DA won 4 seats, while the ANC secured just one.

He said: “We don’t like the DA, let me be frank. I despise them. But we will work with them because it’s not about me; it’s about the leadership of the PA

“What the leadership decides on Monday, we will work with anyone. If the AWB still existed,  we would have worked with them. It’s about our people”.

Gayton responded to claims that both he and PA Deputy-President were after political power, even at the expense of their personal feelings.

He continued: “We are vying for power. Don’t let people lie to you; politicians love power. People say McKenzie loves power, yes, of course. I’m a retired businessman; I’ve made my money. If I didnt love and want power, why would I put myself in politics”

Apart from Prince Albert, the PA emerged as the second-largest party in George, behind the DA, and third in Kannaland, behind the DA and ICOSA.

WATCH: PA leader Gayton McKenzie says he is willing to consider working with the DA in coalition arrangements for the benefit of society, despite admitting that he hates the party.

McKenzie says he is prepared to ensure a smooth working relationship in metros where the two… pic.twitter.com/C8KlrdtaUo

— Kaya News (@KayaNews) November 6, 2026

‘ACCEPT DEFEAT GRACIOUSLY’

Meanwhile, Gayton McKenzie has called on PA members to “accept defeat graciously”, after losing wards 17 and 18 in Eldorado Park.

The 51-year-old claimed that he had been “inundated with conspiracy theories and allegations” about the party’s “shocking loss of both wards”.

He shared in a Facebook post: “I hereby wanna make it public that we accept defeat in both Wards and wanna congratulate the DA. We should not be sore losers.

“The people made their choice, and instead of blaming the people, we should go and do some introspection. The numbers we had were totally wrong.”