LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Hill-Lewis warns small parties could force a coalition government in Cape Town

The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, has warned that smaller political parties could force a coalition government during the upcoming local elections on 4 November. While the DA is expected to secure a slim majority, several opposition parties targeting coloured voters could make the contest tight.

Hill-Lewis unveiled the party's latest campaign poster, "Don’t risk coalition chaos", during a campaign push to shore up its majority and dissuade voters from splitting their support among smaller parties.

The DA is projected to maintain its majority in Cape Town, with recent polls indicating 52.6% support (eNCA and MarkData) and 56.1% (News24 and Sabi Strategy Group). However, the party's support has declined from 66.6% in 2016 to 58.3% in 2021, and 53% in the 2024 provincial election. Hill-Lewis admitted that the DA's own polling put its support at 51% to 52%, but conceded that the margin is "too close for comfort."

Smaller parties, such as the Patriotic Alliance (PA), National Coloured Congress (NCC), Good party, ActionSA, and other emerging political formations, are aggressively targeting coloured voters to convert dissatisfaction into electoral gains. These parties have campaigned hard in coloured communities and could erode the DA's majority if they collectively win 1% to 2% of the vote, according to Hill-Lewis.

Hill-Lewis cited examples of coalition-governed municipalities, such as Tshwane, to demonstrate how political instability can undermine service delivery. He pledged safer streets, job creation, reliable electricity, and improved public spaces in Cape Town, having added 1,300 metro police officers and established a new SWAT and drone unit during his administration.

While the DA has dominated Cape Town politics, smaller parties like the PA and NCC have made inroads, particularly in coloured communities. The PA won wards from established parties in recent years, and the NCC secured council seats and a provincial seat in recent elections. However, scrutiny over political scandals and criminal cases may hinder the NCC's and PA's credibility in the upcoming elections.