The upcoming local government elections in South Africa, set for November 4, present a critical choice for millions of citizens. For residents in municipalities like Midvaal and Cape Town, which are governed by the Democratic Alliance (DA), the election is about retaining effective governance and quality service delivery. These areas have demonstrated that municipalities can balance their budgets, maintain infrastructure, and attract investment without misusing public funds.
Over the past five years, Cape Town, under the DA's governance, has created as many jobs as the other seven metros combined. This achievement underscores the DA's claim that their governance model prioritizes service delivery and economic growth. In contrast, residents in declining municipalities are seeking change, hoping for quality services, transparent administration, and economic opportunities. The DA is urging voters to evaluate their performance based on evidence from their governed areas.
A prime example of the DA's success is the Midvaal municipality, which is set to conclude its term with balanced budgets for both the current and previous financial years. The municipality boasts 12 consecutive clean audits and zero debt to major service providers like Eskom and Rand Water. Under the leadership of Mayor Peter Texeira, Midvaal has received over 40 awards, including recognition as the best-performing municipality in Gauteng in 2025.
Cape Town has also fostered an environment conducive to business growth and job creation. The city has streamlined processes such as issuing informal trading permits, improving electricity and water connections, and updating revenue clearance certificates. The introduction of digital forms has simplified application processes, while the Stupid Rule initiative has led to over 1,500 submissions aimed at eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy.
Despite these achievements, the DA acknowledges challenges in areas like Johannesburg and Tshwane, where coalition issues have hindered effective governance. The DA's mayoral terms in these cities were marked by political uncertainty, which negatively impacted service delivery. For instance, Tshwane's removal of the DA mayor led to poor administration, including a crisis with unsafe drinking water that left over 800 people ill.
Recent polls indicate that the DA is leading in Johannesburg and Tshwane, but the party is also engaged in tight races in Nelson Mandela Bay and Ekurhuleni. The DA's success in retaining governance majorities is crucial to ensuring stable governments that can deliver services consistently. Voters are being urged to support the DA to maintain and expand quality governance across more municipalities.
Ultimately, the local government elections represent a choice between consolidating proven governance models and risking further political uncertainty and poor service delivery. The DA, with Solly Malatsi as its deputy federal chairperson, is advocating for a stable government that prioritizes improving people's lives and delivering great service to all residents, irrespective of their voting choices.
Key points
- The Democratic Alliance (DA) is leading in Johannesburg and Tshwane according to recent polls.
- Cape Town has created as many jobs as the other seven metros combined over the past five years under DA governance.
- The DA's governance model in municipalities like Midvaal and Cape Town has resulted in balanced budgets, clean audits, and significant job creation.
