The Democratic Alliance’s historic victory in Ward 28 in Emfuleni, Gauteng, is a hopeful sign that South Africans are choosing change, hope, and governments that work.
In yesterday’s by-election, the DA won a former ANC stronghold with 32.36% of the vote, growing from just 14.21% in 2021 and 19.31% in 2024.
This result matters far beyond one ward.
The message from Emfuleni is the DA can and will win anywhere, and South Africa can work for everyone.
It shows that voters across communities are increasingly placing their trust in the DA to deliver clean government, basic services, safer communities and jobs.
The DA is not a party for one group, one province, or one city.
We are a party for all South Africans who want their towns, cities and communities to work.
The numbers tell the story of a major political shift.
The ANC fell from 50.90% in 2021 to 32.14%, while the DA more than doubled its share of the vote since the last local government election.
In a township ward long considered an ANC stronghold, voters have shown that they believe the DA can be trusted with their vote.
This victory belongs to the people of Ward 28, and to the DA activists, volunteers and public representatives who worked street by street and door by door to earn their trust.
I want to congratulate our newly elected councillor, Maki Tshabalala, whose campaign showed what committed, community-rooted leadership looks like.
I also want to recognise Kingsol Chabalala, the DA’s mayoral candidate in Emfuleni, whose hard work is helping to build a credible alternative government for the people of Emfuleni.
This is the choice facing South Africa in the 2026 local government elections. More decline, broken promises and failing services under the ANC and its allies — or a DA-led future where governments are clean, capable and focused on delivery.
The DA has shown in government that things can be different. We have shown that public money can be protected, services can be improved, and communities can be treated with respect.
Every South African who wants change must make sure they are correctly registered where they live.