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DA Targets Khayelitsha With Five Ward Candidates Ahead of 2026 Local Elections
The Democratic Alliance (DA) unveiled five ward councillor candidates in Khayelitsha on Friday, ramping up its campaign ahead of the 2026 local government elections and taking direct aim at wards currently held by the ANC.
Who Are the Candidates?
The five candidates were introduced at a community event attended by senior DA figures and local residents. The party named:
The launch drew residents from Site B, Makhaza, and Nkanini, alongside DA heavyweights including Western Cape Leader Tertuis Simmers, Federal Chairperson Solly Msimanga, and Western Cape Minister Ricardo Mackenzie.
A Direct Challenge to ANC Wards
Simmers made no secret of the DA’s ambitions, stating the party is specifically targeting wards where it currently holds no leadership. He pointed to the DA’s governance record in the City of Cape Town as proof of what the party could deliver at ward level.
He also raised a striking accountability issue: each ward councillor receives R1 million to invest in their community — yet many residents are reportedly seeing none of that benefit.
Youth and Voter Registration in the Spotlight
A key focus of the event was mobilising young voters. Simmers urged residents — especially youth — to register ahead of the upcoming voter registration weekend on June 20 and 21.
The DA cited growth in Khayelitsha during the 2024 elections as evidence that its message is gaining traction in communities long dominated by rival parties.
Accountability at the Heart of the Campaign
Msimanga used his address to push a message of direct accountability, arguing that ward councillors must remain present and responsive — not vanish after election day. He framed the Khayelitsha drive as part of a national push to flip wards where residents have raised concerns over poor service delivery, unemployment, and lack of basic opportunities.
The DA is positioning the 2026 vote as a clear choice: improved living conditions under its leadership, or continued decline under the status quo.
