LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: DA gains black voters, declares Cape Town win, but Western Cape coalitions loom
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis on Thursday at noon declared Cape Town a win for his party, and the only metro with an outright majority. Key Cape hinterland towns of Stellenbosch and Paarl (Drakenstein) remained in DA control, while in 14 other councils the DA was the leading party.
On 5 November 2026, the DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis declared Cape Town a victory for his party, claiming an expected 58% of the vote. Hill-Lewis highlighted the party's breakthrough gains among black voters. The DA retained control of key Stellenbosch and Paarl towns (Drakenstein), and secured outright control in Hessequa and Bergrivier. However, in 14 other councils, the DA was only the leading party without a majority.
The DA's performance in township wards and among black South Africans has been a long-standing goal for the party. With over one million black voters, Hill-Lewis declared the party a mainstream choice for all communities. The party leader expressed relief after beating the expected 51% poll projections, with a strong 58% victory in Cape Town.
The results also had implications for potential governing coalitions in the Western Cape. Hill-Lewis planned to negotiate with the ANC, ActionSA, and Freedom Front Plus. In Cape Town, the DA declared the win based on projections, amid skepticism from pollsters and analysts. The party leader reiterated his intention to remain as Cape Town mayor until 2029.
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