The DA wants to govern 60 municipalities – it is relying on ANC defectors to get there

DA Aims to Double Municipal Governance in Upcoming Local Elections

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has set an ambitious goal for the November 4 local elections: to more than double the number of municipalities it currently governs, targeting 60 of South Africa’s 257 local authorities. This plan was outlined by Ashor Sarupen, the party’s campaign manager and deputy finance minister, in an interview with Business Day.

Campaign Strategy and Targets

Sarupen explained that the DA’s core strategy is not merely to retain its existing voter base but to convert African National Congress (ANC) supporters. Internal polling, he said, indicates a structural rise in DA support above the 2024 baseline of 21.81 % of the statewide vote.

The party currently governs 27 municipalities. By securing an additional 33, the DA would reach its target of 60, representing a significant shift in local‑government power dynamics.

• Current DA‑governed municipalities: 27
• Target for November 4: 60 (more than double)
• Baseline DA vote share (2024): 21.81 %
• 2021 local‑election DA vote share: 21.6 %

Evidence from Recent By‑elections

Sarupen pointed to several recent by‑elections as proof of a turnaround:

• In Makhanda (Eastern Cape), DA support rose from 1 % to 25 % in a ward historically dominated by the ANC (80‑90 % ANC).
• In Govan Mbeki (also Eastern Cape), the Eastern Cape ward swung to 30 % in a traditionally.

the DA’s vote share jumped to roughly 30 % in a similarly ANC‑heavy area.

• The DA also captured a by‑election in Emfuleni (Gauteng), although Sarupen acknowledged the party continues to face challenges in other regions.

These results, he argued, demonstrate that ANC voters are receptive to the DA’s message when turnout in DA strongholds is high—a pattern observed in the 2016 municipal elections.

Coalition Lessons and Stability Goals

Reflecting on past coalition experiences, Sarupen noted that the DA has refined its approach to partnership negotiations. The party now evaluates potential allies for reliability and avoids those who employ coercive tactics to extract concessions.

He cited Johannesburg as a cautionary example: after initial progress under former mayor Mpho Phalatse (elected 2021), the city experienced a “severe decline” following her departure. To prevent similar outcomes, the DA intends to:

• Secure mayoral positions in targeted metropolitan areas.
• Obtain written coalition agreements that set clear conditions for governance.
• Advocate for rapid passage of amendments to the Local Government Structure Act, which could stabilise coalition arrangements nationwide.

“We have become much wiser in dealing with such tactics, having learned from the extortionate nature of some parties in coalition politics,” Sarupen said. “That is why we are currently assessing our options and looking very closely at what would be viable, stable governments.”

Conclusion

If the DA achieves its target of governing 60 municipalities, it would mark the party’s most substantial expansion in local government over the past decade. Success will hinge on high voter turnout in DA strongholds, continued conversion of ANC supporters, and the party’s ability to forge durable, transparent coalition partnerships.

As the November 4 election approaches, observers will watch whether the DA’s strategic shift translates into tangible gains on the ground and a more stable local‑government landscape across South Africa’s metros and districts.