The Democratic Alliance (DA) has successfully retained the uMngeni local municipality, located in the midlands region of KwaZulu-Natal, with a significant increase in vote share. This municipality, which includes the town of Howick, was the only one controlled by the DA in the province prior to the recent elections. The DA had snatched the council from the African National Congress (ANC) during the 2021 local government elections.
According to Chris Pappas, the DA's mayoral candidate who was put forward for re-election, the party's victory is a testament to its delivery and growing appeal. Pappas stated that people who had never voted for the DA before have now put the party back in power with an overwhelming majority. This win is seen as a beacon of hope for the rest of South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal.
The DA's KwaZulu-Natal provincial chairperson, Dean Macpherson, attributed the party's growth in the province to its substantial growth trajectory. Macpherson noted that in 2024, the DA suffered a setback when the MK party received more votes than the DA in uMngeni. However, the party has made significant inroads, winning all four 100% black township wards in the municipality with a commanding majority.
In the 2021 local government elections, the DA won the uMngeni council with 48% of the vote share, securing 14,000 votes. In contrast, during the recent elections, the party gained over 24,000 votes, significantly increasing its majority. This win is part of a broader trend, with indications that the DA will also play a significant role in key municipalities such as eNdumeni, eThekwini, and Msunduzi.
The MK party, led by Jacob Zuma, made significant gains in KwaZulu-Natal, leading overall in the province by late afternoon. The party claimed entire wards previously controlled by the ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in various municipalities. Notably, the MK party made a clean sweep in the City of uMhlathuze, which is home to the critical Richards Bay port and several chemical and metal industries.
The DA's gains in KwaZulu-Natal are seen as a significant development in the province's politics. With the vote counting continuing, the party's performance in key municipalities will likely have implications for the provincial government. The DA's increased majority in uMngeni and potential kingmaker roles in other municipalities demonstrate its growing influence in the province.
Key points
- The DA has retained the uMngeni local municipality with over 60% of the vote share, increasing its majority from the 2021 local government elections.
- The party has made significant inroads in key KwaZulu-Natal municipalities, including eNdumeni, eThekwini, and Msunduzi.
- The MK party has made significant gains in KwaZulu-Natal, leading overall in the province and claiming wards previously controlled by the ANC and IFP.
