The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced its top three candidates for the upcoming municipal elections in Cape Town, with incumbent mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis leading the list, followed by aldermen JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg. This move is seen as an effort by the DA to maintain its control of the city, which it has held for twenty years. The DA's decision to retain its stalwarts has been met with criticism from opposition parties.
In contrast, the African National Congress (ANC) has placed party campaigner Banoyolo Yawa at the top of its list, ahead of current opposition leader in council, Ndithini Tyhido, who is among its mayoral contenders. The ANC's provincial convenor, Jeremiah Thuynsma, is on the party's mayoral shortlist but does not appear on the candidate list. Former provincial secretary and MP, Faiez Jacobs, has been included at number 14 on the ANC's PR list.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has nominated its parliamentary whip, Nontando Nolutshungu, as its mayoral candidate and only PR candidate on its list. The National Coloured Congress has also entered the fray, with Ellen Pakkies as its mayoral candidate. Pakkies gained notoriety in 2007 after killing her drug-addicted son and receiving a suspended sentence.
The DA is facing criticism for ranking councilor Abdulkader Elyas at number four on its PR list, despite Elyas being previously sanctioned by the party for lying about his academic qualifications and posing as a medical doctor. This move has raised concerns about the DA's judgment in selecting candidates.
The candidate list for the municipal elections, which runs into over 2000 pages, was published by the Electoral Commission for public scrutiny. Councillors will officially be awarded their certificates of participation next week. The elections are expected to be closely contested, with the ANC and EFF seeking to wrestle control of Cape Town from the DA.
The municipal elections in Cape Town are significant, with the city's mayor and council members playing a crucial role in shaping its future. The DA's decision to retain its top candidates is seen as a bid to maintain its control of the city, while the ANC and EFF are seeking to capitalize on any weaknesses in the DA's campaign.
The outcome of the municipal elections in Cape Town will have far-reaching implications for the city and its residents. The elected mayor and council members will be responsible for addressing the city's challenges, including safety concerns, service delivery, and economic development. The elections are expected to be closely watched by residents and political observers alike.
Key points
- The DA has retained its top candidates, including incumbent mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, in a bid to maintain its control of Cape Town.
- The ANC and EFF are challenging the DA's control, with the ANC placing party campaigner Banoyolo Yawa at the top of its list and the EFF nominating Nontando Nolutshungu as its mayoral candidate.
- The municipal elections in Cape Town are expected to be closely contested, with the outcome having significant implications for the city's future.
