702, Thursday morning

It's 23 minutes before 10 o'clock. This is the 7:02 Open Line, the special broadcast of the Clement Manyathela show live from the National Results Operations Center, the NEV Center here in Midrand. As we see the results trickling in so far, 22% of the votes nationally have been counted so far. The ANC at 31.68%, the DA 29.68%. And it

Goes and goes. But remember, only 22 nationally have been counted. But a lot of parties are looking at specific wards that have already been worn. And there are some interesting numbers that are coming out, especially here in Gauteng and in other parts as well. So I want to bring in now Michael Buremont, who's the chairperson for Action SA, joining us here on the floor at the Results Center. Michael, thanks for chatting to us. Good morning. Morning, Clements. Good to be speaking with you. So great to chat to you. So out of the 22% of the votes counted nationally, Action SA, I see you sitting

There at about 2.86%. I mean, it's still very early to tell because it's 22% of the votes. But internally, I imagine your party agents are telling you how you've performed. How are things looking this morning for Action SA? Always very cautious about making big statements on small numbers, but the reality is the numbers are looking very good. We have reports from party agents that demonstrate we've won at least 30 wards off the ANC in the townships of Gauteng alone.

There's been a huge swing from the ANC to Action SA, so much so that we've won every ward in Tambisa and Koroleni. We've won every ward in Atteridgeville and Tshwane, except for one huge result in Mamelodi and Soshanguve and Soweto. So the results demonstrate a major swing. Those numbers are not yet captured on the screen behind you. We anticipate they will be and that they're going to start to lift that number higher and higher up the rankings. And I think what's really encouraging is a breakthrough outside of Hao Teng. We're seeing

Numbers in Cape Town shows we're going to have real numbers, courtesy of support in places like Khayelitsha, Langa, Guguletu, and the Cape Flats. You know, small municipalities don't get their due as well. But Action SA, with all the votes having been counted in the municipality of Langeberg in the rural Western Cape, we're the largest party and we must now lead coalition and negotiations. So a breakthrough in many provinces, which bodes well ahead of a national campaign for 2029.

So you speak about coalitions and negotiations because that's now the important work that begins once the results have been announced. What we've got about 14 days after the results have been announced. How ready are you for that conversation? Are you resolved on who you want to work with as XCNSA and what the red lines are? Well, let me just say they've already begun. The taps on the shoulder have started. When? Last night? No, already, already. But we are ready. We have actually approved a coalition negotiation.