SOUTH AFRICA — The Democratic Alliance is mobilizing its base in Mamelodi for its national final rally, with party spokesperson Karabo Khakhau outlining a decisive strategy to unseat the ANC in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Speaking to the media ahead of the party’s final national rally scheduled for Saturday, 31 October 2026, Khakhau reflected on the campaign trail that began with the party’s manifesto launch at Mary Fitzgerald Square in early August. According to the national spokesperson, the core of the DA’s message resonates deeply with voters who are demanding a return to basic service delivery.
Khakhau noted that South Africans are expressing widespread fatigue with the ANC, emphasizing that the party is not selling “pie in the sky” promises. Instead, the DA is focusing on fundamental municipal responsibilities: running taps with clean water, reliable electricity, job creation, community safety, clean streets, timely refuse collection, and the elimination of sewage spillages and water leaks.
Ground Realities and Local Candidates
The spokesperson highlighted the contrast in service delivery as a primary campaign tool, pointing to his recent visit to Vereeniging. There, he campaigned alongside DA mayoral candidate Kingsol Chabalala, who is aiming to take over the Emfuleni municipality. Khakhau contrasted Emfuleni’s struggles with the neighboring, DA-run Midvaal municipality, noting that residents are already demanding the superior service delivery seen next door.
The campaign trail has also taken Khakhau to the Free State and into townships like Soweto, where he engaged with long-time ANC voters—colloquially referred to during the interview as “Bono Leos.” He reported that these demographics are switching their support to the DA, citing frustration over wasted public funds and a lack of respect from the ruling party.
Navigating the Government of National Unity
Addressing critiques from opposition parties that the DA is indistinguishable from the ANC within the Government of National Unity (GNU), Khakhau dismissed the claims as political propaganda. He argued that residents have witnessed the DA fiercely challenging the ANC within the coalition whenever basic services fail.
“Our politics have been simple: the people first,” Khakhau stated. He emphasized that the DA is willing to risk the stability of the GNU if it means fighting for jobs, water, and safety, adding that the party will not maintain “friendly chats” with the ANC while municipalities fail and sewage spills into communities.
Polling Data and National Ambitions
The DA is taking recent polling data seriously, with internal metrics suggesting the party is within a 1% margin of becoming the largest political party in South Africa. Khakhau confirmed the party is targeting 25% to 26% of the national vote—a significant increase from the roughly 22% secured in the 2024 national elections. The ultimate goal is to govern as many of the eight metropolitan municipalities as possible, with current data suggesting strong performance in at least six of them.
Western Cape Challenges and Identity Politics
Despite national momentum, the DA faces a tighter race in its traditional Western Cape stronghold. Recent polls from Ipsos, SRF, and MarkData place the party’s voting intent in Cape Town between 50% and 52%, a drop from its 66% peak in 2016 and 58% in the previous local election cycle.
Khakhau attributed this shift to the rise of identity politics, specifically calling out the Patriotic Alliance and its leader Gayton McKenzie. He argued that McKenzie’s agenda is self-serving rather than focused on uplifting Colored communities. Furthermore, Khakhau pointed to internal migration, noting that the Western Cape’s high quality of life draws residents from the Eastern Cape and Free State, placing immense strain on municipal resources. He maintained, however, that Auditor-General reports and lived experiences prove that no DA-led or coalition municipality in the Western Cape is outperformed by others.
Defending Campaign Tones and Strategies
When pressed on critiques that Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille’s campaign has been overly “performative” or theatrical, Khakhau defended her approach. He acknowledged the historical complexities of white politicians campaigning in Black communities but praised Zille’s deep, substantive community immersion. He highlighted her tangible interventions, such as providing transformers to communities like Soweto when the government failed to do so, proving her campaign is rooted in action rather than just theater.
Khakhau also touched upon the aggressive campaign tactics of other DA candidates, such as Cilliers Brink in Bronkhorstspruit, framing the assertiveness as a necessary response to the severe service delivery failures experienced by residents.
As the November 4, 2026 Local Government Elections approach, the DA remains focused on maximizing voter turnout, confident that their track record of governance will secure them a historic victory at the ballot box.
