-DA announces eThekwini Ward Councillor Candidates for the 2026 Election
-These are the people who will stand up for residents and get eThekwini working for all
Today, the Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal announced our eThekwini ward councillor candidates for the 2026 Local Government Election. This team carries a commitment to putting residents first and ensuring that every community has representatives who are accountable, responsive and ready to get the city working.
This team of highly experienced individuals who span all sectors of society, from business, faith-based organisations, entrepreneurs, NGO’s and civil society, will be the driving force to support our efforts to get eThekwini working for all.
This candidate selection process has required bold decisions. The DA has not simply opted for the status quo. We have listened to our voters, listened to and consulted communities and civic organisations, and carefully considered the skills, experience and commitment required to turn eThekwini around.
65% of our ward councillors are new while 35% of the DA’s current ward councillors are returning. This is important because it demonstrates the blend of new councillors while being underpinned by experienced councillors. These changes that we have made also ensure that residents are represented by people who can deliver high-quality services, remain accessible to their communities and turn around the governance of the city.
What we see here today is not for political convenience. It is because the needs of residents must come first. Always.
Our new class of candidates brings together an impressive range of skills and experiences, including legal experts and attorneys, financial professionals, project managers, experienced community activists and experienced individuals who have crossed over from other political parties because they believe that the DA is the only political home capable of delivering change in eThekwini.
We have also taken the unprecedented step of consulting with communities and civic organisations to ensure communities are better represented in City Hall.
The DA listens to our voters. Where residents told us that change was necessary, we listened and acted.
The candidates here reflect the diversity of eThekwini and the DA and are drawn from across the city’s racial demographics.
This is a team that reflects the communities the DA seeks to serve while maintaining the standards of competence, accountability and integrity that residents deserve.
The DA is also continuing to build momentum in areas where the political landscape is changing. As the ANC’s support collapses, the DA is gaining ground, demonstrating that more residents are looking beyond the failures of the past and towards a party with a credible plan to rebuild eThekwini.