DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — The Democratic Alliance final election rally in Durban has become the focal point of the party’s push to secure municipal gains in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the November 4 local government elections. Addressing hundreds of supporters at the Olive Convention Centre, party leadership outlined a comprehensive campaign centered on service delivery, accountable governance, and the urgent need for municipal turnarounds across the province.
With just nine days remaining until voters head to the ballots, the party is making its final push to expand its footprint in KwaZulu-Natal, a province it views as critical to the national economy.
Welcoming “Brave Patriots” and Tackling Service Delivery
Geordin Hill-Lewis, the federal leader of the party, delivered a keynote address that heavily focused on welcoming first-time voters. He described those choosing to vote for the party for the first time as “brave patriots” who love their country, promising them an honest government dedicated to rooting out corruption, creating jobs, and ensuring community safety.
“When the electricity fails, businesses suffer. When roads deteriorate, families pay the price. When water is unreliable, ordinary households carry that burden,” Hill-Lewis stated. He emphasized that reliable infrastructure and better municipal services are the key to unlocking the economic potential of KwaZulu-Natal, which he noted is South Africa’s second-biggest economy.
The Battle for eThekwini: A “Two-Horse Race”
A major theme of the rally was the high-stakes battle for the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Hill-Lewis framed the upcoming vote in Durban as a definitive “two-horse race” between his party and the MK party. He urged residents to unite behind the DA’s mayoral candidate, Haniff Hoosen, arguing that the DA is the only party large enough to prevent the city from falling into the hands of the MK party.
Hill-Lewis did not hold back in his criticism of the current municipal failures in the city, citing the presence of “water tanker mafias,” unsafe streets, and a severe lack of job creation. He also warned voters to remain vigilant against the ANC, which he described as a “desperate” organization that might use “dirty tricks” to retain power and protect its interests.
Provincial Expansion and the “uMngeni” Turnaround
Expanding the party’s governance model in KwaZulu-Natal remains a primary objective. Currently, the party holds only one municipality in the province. Sthabelo Ntshangase, the provincial chairperson, briefed attendees on the ground, noting that the rally was designed to motivate communities to give the party a chance to govern other failing municipalities.
“Currently, we know that many municipalities are suffering, and the DA is the only solution,” Ntshangase explained, highlighting that delegates from all constituencies across the province attended the event to show unified support.
To prove their governance model, Hill-Lewis pointed to the “miraculous turnaround” of the uMngeni municipality. He praised the work of Mayor Chris Pappas, noting that the area had transformed from a deeply indebted, broken municipality into one of the best-governed places in the country where problems are actively being solved. Hill-Lewis used this success story as a blueprint, asking voters if they wanted their towns to move forward or continue going backwards.
A Mandate for Stable Government
Highlighting the broader economic stakes, Hill-Lewis stressed that a functioning KwaZulu-Natal is critical to the national interest. He praised the work of the party’s colleagues in the KZN provincial government of unity for bringing honesty and integrity back to the provincial level, proving that the party can deliver when given the mandate.
As the clock ticks down to election day, the party’s message to the electorate is clear: they are not just campaigning to win, but campaigning to govern better. By securing the strongest possible mandate on November 4, the party aims to win towns and cities outright, thereby ending the “coalitions of chaos” and ensuring stable, full-time government for the people.
