CAPE TOWN, Gauteng — As the race for control of South Africa’s municipalities intensifies ahead of the November 4 local government elections, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has set an ambitious target to secure outright majorities in 60 of the country’s 257 municipalities. DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis recently detailed the party’s 2026 local government manifesto, emphasizing a relentless focus on fixing failing infrastructure, rooting out corruption, and introducing private sector competition to revive local economies.
According to DA national campaign manager Ashor Sarupen, the target of 60 municipalities is more than double the 27 the party currently governs. The campaign is directing heavy resources toward major Gauteng metros, Cape Town, and Nelson Mandela Bay. Hill-Lewis also noted that Mangaung could be added to the target list if political opponents failed to submit their candidate lists on time.
A Blueprint for Turning Around Failing Cities
Addressing the severe challenges in metros like Johannesburg, Hill-Lewis acknowledged that there is no quick fix, but stressed that turnaround begins with financial discipline. The DA’s proposed strategy starts by plugging financial leaks caused by corruption and wasteful spending. By redirecting funds to basic service delivery—such as fixing potholes, repairing street and traffic lights, and maintaining roadsides—the party aims to restore public confidence.
Hill-Lewis argued that visible improvements in basic services will encourage businesses to return, stabilize property values, and attract the investment necessary to fund larger, multi-billion-rand infrastructure projects, including wastewater treatment works and water pipeline repairs.
Private Sector Participation and Competition
Anticipating concerns that private sector involvement could lead to unaffordable privatization, Hill-Lewis pushed back, arguing that state monopolies are currently the most expensive option for the public. He pointed to the hundreds of billions of rands spent on Eskom bailouts and a 1,300% increase in electricity prices over the last 15 years as evidence of baked-in state inefficiency.
“Competition brings discipline. It brings prices down,” Hill-Lewis stated, highlighting that Cape Town recently became the first city in the country to sign its own power purchase agreement with independent power producers. He noted that every megawatt secured through these agreements is cheaper than the rates forced upon municipalities by Eskom, proving that private competition can drive down costs and improve reliability.
For financially distressed smaller municipalities, Hill-Lewis advocated for expanded use of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). With the infrastructure backlog in Johannesburg alone estimated at R280 billion, he stressed that the state cannot fund these repairs alone, making private investment essential for long-term survival.
Revenue Collection and Supporting the Vulnerable
On the contentious issue of municipal debt and unpaid services, the DA leader outlined a balanced approach. He emphasized that DA-governed municipalities offer the most generous indigent benefit packages in South Africa, and genuinely poor residents should be registered for these discounts and rebates.
However, for those who are not indigent, Hill-Lewis insisted on strict credit control and payment arrangements. “Unless you are receiving indigency benefits or living on a state grant, you have to be able to pay for what you use and contribute,” he said, warning that a failure to enforce payment will inevitably lead to municipal bankruptcy and total service collapse.
Delivering for Townships and Enhancing Policing
Addressing criticisms about service delivery disparities, Hill-Lewis highlighted that the lion’s share of the DA’s record-breaking infrastructure investment has been directed toward township sewer systems. This targeted spending has already reduced sewer spills and blockages by roughly 33% over the past few years, with commitments to expand flush toilet access further.
Finally, recognizing that crime and the destruction of public property remain top concerns for residents, Hill-Lewis reiterated the DA’s push for greater policing powers to be devolved to major metropolitan municipalities. Empowering local metros to take a frontline role in combating violent crime, he argued, is a critical step toward ensuring safe, functional, and thriving communities for all South Africans.
