HOWICK, KwaZulu-Natal — The Democratic Alliance (DA) is aggressively stepping up its KZN election campaign, with federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis urging voters to protect the party’s municipal gains and block the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party from taking power in the upcoming November 4 local government polls.
Spearheading the campaign drive in Howick, located within the uMngeni Local Municipality, Hill-Lewis highlighted the high stakes for his party. Currently, uMngeni stands as the only local council solely governed by the DA in KwaZulu-Natal. Having secured the municipality in 2021, the party is now heavily focused on retaining control while expanding its regional footprint.
Addressing the shifting political landscape, Hill-Lewis acknowledged the looming threat of the MK Party, which is contesting its first local government elections following a formidable showing in the province during the 2024 national and provincial polls. However, he emphasized a major realignment in KZN’s political dynamics, asserting that the African National Congress (ANC) has “completely collapsed” and is now a “distant third party.” Consequently, he framed the upcoming November polls as a definitive “two-horse race” between the DA and the MK Party.
“It is a clear choice between do you want your towns and cities to go forwards or do you want chaos and corruption under MK,” Hill-Lewis stated, noting that the DA will be campaigning every single day leading up to the ballot.
He praised the local leadership, specifically uMngeni Mayor Chris Pappas, for serving with “humility and integrity.” Describing Howick and its surrounding areas as a “turnaround town,” the DA leader highlighted that visible, meaningful improvements to residents’ quality of life prove the party can get broken towns working across South Africa. He urged residents to unite behind the DA to bring similar functional governance to neighboring areas like uMngeni, eThekwini, and beyond.
The campaign tour also included a strategic stop at the Shiyabazali Informal Settlement. While acknowledging that housing, water, and essential services remain pressing issues for the community, Hill-Lewis pointed to recent infrastructure upgrades driven by the DA-led council, such as the installation of solar lights and VIP toilets. He noted that the party’s commitment to serving all communities has paid off significantly; despite receiving very few votes in the informal settlement in 2021, the DA managed to win the area during the 2024 elections.
The intensifying campaign season has also brought renewed concerns over political violence and the safety of candidates. Addressing the recent fatal shooting of a political councillor in eThekwini the previous Thursday, Hill-Lewis condemned the violence as “totally incompatible with a free and fair election” and a constitutional democracy.
He suggested that rival factions may feel threatened by the DA’s expanding support in previously uncontested areas. Urging all political entities to respect the democratic process, Hill-Lewis warned against letting healthy democratic competition devolve into intimidation, calling on all parties to ensure a peaceful and free environment leading up to the November 4 elections.
