South African ratepayers are in despair as mayoral musical chairs and coalition dramas have led to chaotic governance in many a metro. In this interview with BizNews, Marius Roodt of the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) says it is time for governance in the metros to be taken seriously. He dissects the removal of the Democratic Alliance’s Cilliers Brink as Mayor of Tshwane, as well as ActionSA’s working arrangement with the African National Congress in Joburg. However, he also explains why stability in city governance is not dependent on Government of National Unity agreements being binding on lower levels of governments. “I don’t think it’s all that healthy for the DA and ANC to sort of become some kind of mega party which has big majorities across the country.” Meanwhile, Roodt shares some of the recommendations the IRR is currently developing for the stabilisation of municipal government.