Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis exercised his right to vote in the 2026 local government elections, casting his ballot at Edgemead Primary School in the middle-class suburb where he grew up. Greeting family members and supporters outside the gates of the polling station, Hill-Lewis made a last-ditch appeal to the city's residents to vote for his party, the Democratic Alliance (DA). He emphasized that the polls are tight and that no voter should take for granted the progress made by the DA in the past five years.
Hill-Lewis, who is also the federal leader of the DA, believes that his track record in the metro should get voters out to give him another run as the city's first citizen. The DA has governed Cape Town outright for 20 years, and Hill-Lewis thinks that their blueprint can be replicated in other metros, particularly in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. He expressed confidence in the DA's ability to deliver on its promises, but acknowledged that the party has faced criticism from opposition and minority rights parties.
During the campaign, Hill-Lewis has been heavily criticized by opposition and minority rights parties, who say he has neglected the city's disadvantaged communities, particularly on issues such as housing, bulk infrastructure development, and social amenities. However, Hill-Lewis dismissed much of the criticism, saying that he takes on board serious, well-meaning criticism that means the best for the people of Cape Town, but that most of it is just politicking.
Voters in the queue with Hill-Lewis said safety in their neighborhood is one of their top priorities in determining who to vote for. The local government elections are seen as a critical opportunity for residents to make their voices heard and to hold their leaders accountable. With the polls expected to be tight, every vote counts, and Hill-Lewis is urging residents to get out and exercise their right to vote.
The 2026 local government elections are taking place across South Africa, with millions of voters expected to cast their ballots. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has urged voters to make their voices heard, saying that every vote counts. The IEC has also assured voters that all systems are go for the elections, with law enforcement agencies deployed to maintain order and ensure a smooth voting process.
Hill-Lewis's vote was cast on November 4, 2026, as part of a nationwide effort to elect new municipal leaders. The elections are seen as a critical test of the DA's popularity in Cape Town, and Hill-Lewis's leadership is under scrutiny. Despite the challenges, Hill-Lewis remains confident that the DA will emerge victorious and continue to govern Cape Town.
The outcome of the elections will have significant implications for the future of Cape Town and the country as a whole. The DA's performance in the elections will be closely watched, particularly in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, where the party hopes to make gains. As the results begin to come in, residents of Cape Town will be eagerly awaiting the outcome, hoping that their voices have been heard.
Key points
- The polls are tight in the Cape Town mayoral election, with Geordin Hill-Lewis urging residents to vote for his party.
- Hill-Lewis has been criticized by opposition parties for neglecting disadvantaged communities in Cape Town.
- The 2026 local government elections are taking place across South Africa, with millions of voters expected to cast their ballots.
