EMALAHLENI, MPUMALANGA — With the 2026 Local Government Elections just days away, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has significantly escalated its Mpumalanga campaign, focusing heavily on service delivery, community safety, and stable governance. DA Federal Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis addressed a packed rally in eMalahleni, urging voters to back the party’s vision as the November 4 polls approach.
Rallying for Change and Fixing “Broken” Infrastructure
Addressing an energized crowd just 10 days before the elections, Hill-Lewis capitalized on a growing wave of voter enthusiasm, promising that change is imminent for South Africans suffering under what he described as “bad government.”
The DA leader painted a stark picture of the current municipal failures, highlighting broken water infrastructure, deteriorating housing, and poor road networks. “The government is broken,” Hill-Lewis stated, positioning the DA as the only viable alternative to restore functionality to local municipalities.
During the rally, Hill-Lewis heavily praised local DA candidate Mom Sophie, holding her up as a prime example of the party’s grassroots values. He highlighted her passion, humility, and dedication to community resources, contrasting her work ethic with the corruption often associated with rival parties. Hill-Lewis noted that hundreds of thousands of citizens across the province are voting for the DA for the first time, making decisions for their families and future generations.
Building on Recent Electoral Gains
The Mpumalanga campaign is built on a strategy of proving that the DA can win and govern effectively in historically contested areas. Hill-Lewis outlined several recent electoral milestones to demonstrate the party’s growing footprint in the province:
- Steve Tshwete: The DA successfully captured Ward 29 from the African National Congress (ANC), a ward where the party had previously struggled to gain traction.
- Govan Mbeki: The party secured a victory in Ward 17, another area transitioning to DA support.
- Thembisile Hani: In a municipality previously held 100% by the ANC, the DA managed to double its number of public representatives.
- Provincial Legislature: The party doubled its seat count in the Mpumalanga legislature during the 2024 national and provincial elections.
- Recent By-Elections: The DA won Ward 26 in 2025, further cementing its local momentum.
Hill-Lewis used these facts to counter the narrative that the DA cannot penetrate Mpumalanga, directly appealing to first-time voters by promising that the party will earn their trust and deliver better services every single day.
Navigating Coalitions and Warning Against Political Chaos
Following his address to supporters, Hill-Lewis engaged with the media to address the broader political landscape, specifically the inevitability of coalition governments. Acknowledging that coalitions are now a permanent feature of South Africa’s political era, he urged residents to unite behind the DA to prevent the chaos that has plagued many local councils.
When pressed on the DA’s participation in the national Government of National Unity (GNU) while simultaneously criticizing smaller political parties during local campaigns, Hill-Lewis defended the party’s stance. He argued that the issue is not coalitions themselves, but the instability brought by smaller parties lacking principled track records.
“Just look at what’s happened in the cities where these small parties have got the leverage to collapse the government,” Hill-Lewis noted, pointing to the City of Johannesburg, which has seen eight or nine different mayors in recent years due to shifting political alliances.
He argued that smaller parties often lack core principles, collapsing governments simply to secure better deals for themselves. In contrast, Hill-Lewis positioned the DA as the only party with a proven track record of good governance and the numerical strength to form stable, effective coalitions.
“Our pledge is to make these towns and cities work for everyone,” Hill-Lewis concluded, reaffirming the DA’s commitment to penetrating new territories and making history in the upcoming November 4 elections.
