DA Says More Than One Million Black South Africans Voted For The Party

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it has secured the support of more than one million black South Africans in the local government elections, with party leader Geordin Hill-Lewis describing the result as evidence of its growing national appeal.

Speaking at the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) Results Operations Centre in Midrand on Friday, Hill-Lewis said the party had significantly increased its national support and moved closer to its ambition of becoming South Africa’s largest political party.

Preliminary IEC results showed the DA leading in the Western Cape and several metropolitan municipalities, although it was trailing in eThekwini and Buffalo City.

Hill-Lewis says DA is becoming a mainstream party

Hill-Lewis said the party could now claim support from approximately one million black voters across the country.

“We can now say with a fair degree of certainty that we will have around one million black voters for the Democratic Alliance in South Africa, which means that we are now a mainstream party in every community in the country,” he said.

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He added: “Whether you are black or white or Indian or coloured, the DA is a mainstream party. We are the only party that is truly for all the people in South Africa.”

The election marks the first major electoral test for Hill-Lewis since he was elected DA leader earlier this year.

DA projects gains in ward seats and councillors

According to Hill-Lewis, the party was projected to gain 104 additional ward seats, while more than 230 new councillors were expected to join DA-led councils across the country.

“These are the wards we have won around the country, and more than 230 new councillors will join the ranks of DA councils around the country,” he said.

The projected gains form part of the party’s broader claim that its support has expanded beyond its traditional strongholds.

DA leads in Cape Town as 2029 preparations begin

In Cape Town, the DA appeared set to retain control of the metro, leading with 62% of the vote after 54% of ballots had been counted by 10am on Friday.

Hill-Lewis said the party had received record support in townships across the city, describing the result as an important step towards its next electoral campaign.

“We've received record support in Cape Town townships. And so I want to say very clearly that preparations for that mission in 2029 start right now,” he said.

The IEC is expected to announce the final election results on Sunday. Until then, the figures remain preliminary and could change as counting continues.