South Africa’s DA sets sights on financial capital

South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA) is positioning itself to challenge the country's financial capital, Johannesburg, in upcoming local government elections. The polls, set for November 4, represent the first substantial electoral test for Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who assumed leadership of the DA in April. Recent polls indicate a significant shift in voter sentiment, with the ANC's support in Johannesburg dropping to 18% among likely voters, while the DA leads at 42%.

The DA has outlined a comprehensive election manifesto, pledging an end to political appointments in public administration, known as cadre deployment, which the party argues leads to corruption and service breakdowns. The party also promised to ensure that revenue from water and electricity tariffs would be used for municipal infrastructure maintenance and capital expenditure.

Hill-Lewis emphasized the DA's track record of clean audits and top credit ratings in Cape Town, contrasting this with the infrastructure decay and political instability in other major South African cities.

Johannesburg, a city generating about 16% of South Africa's GDP and serving as the financial hub of Africa's largest economy, is a key battleground in the election. The DA is aiming to capitalize on widespread dissatisfaction with municipal service disruptions, including power outages, water supply failures, and deteriorating road networks.

The party is especially targeting Johannesburg's large population of racial minorities, who have historically been supported by the ANC. The ANC is expected to release its manifesto next week, while the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters have launched their own municipal manifesto with a slogan of "Victory or Death."