FRIDAY BRIEFING | Racing against race: The DA’s dilemma as local government elections loom

EDITORIAL: Racing against race: The DA’s dilemma as local government elections loom On its website, the DA describes itself as a party that stands together “with all South Africans who share a community of values embodied by these words: freedom, fairness, opportunity and diversity”. Despite this inclusive messaging, the party has consistently battled the perception that it remains white-controlled. The departure of prominent black leaders like Lindiwe Mazibuko and Mmusi Maimane – coupled with the party’s support stagnating at around 20% – has done little to dispel this narrative. Research conducted ahead of last year’s general elections showed the DA has the most racially diverse support among the top five political parties. However, the party continues to struggle with attracting significant black voter turnout. As the party prepares for the upcoming local government elections, expanding its support base has likely become a top priority – particularly after 16 municipalities in the Western Cape ended up with hung councils in 2021. The local government elections, scheduled for late 2026 and early 2027, are approaching amid significant political upheaval in the Western Cape. The ANC’s decision to disband its provincial leadership led to four ANC leaders, including former secretary Neville Delport, defecting to the DA. However, the DA has also experienced its own losses, with several George Local Municipality members crossing over to Gayton McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance (PA). Earlier this year, DA MP Liam Jacobs also defected to the PA. The PA has been steadily gaining ground, winning DA and ANC wards in by-elections across the country. In this week’s Friday Briefing, we examine the challenges facing the DA as it seeks to build on its previous local government election performance. UCT’s Professor Christi van der Westhuizen argues that the DA’s “colour-blind” political philosophy – its refusal to acknowledge how race continues to shape South African society – prevents the party from capitalising on the ANC’s massive governance failures and achieving electoral growth, despite its strong governance record. Western Cape DA leader Tertuis Simmers disagrees, contending that South African voters increasingly prioritise results over rhetoric. He believes the DA in the Western Cape exemplifies this shift through diverse, competent leadership rather than racial identity politics. We also have a submission from the University of the Free State’s Dr Harlan Cloete who examines the PA’s appeal to coloured voters and why the party could pose a genuine challenge to DA dominance. Finally, in-depth writer Muhammad Hussain speaks with UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng about the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s sanctions against her for “bringing the profession into disrepute through inappropriate language” after she criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on social media. You can read the full submissions below. Good governance, stalled growth: The DA’s electoral paradox Despite the ANC’s spectacular governance failures, the DA’s refusal to acknowledge the continuing effects of race in South Africa has created an electoral ceiling that better governance alone may not break through, argues Christi van der Westhuizen. Read the rest of the article here. Results over rhetoric: Creating true belonging in the Western Cape While identity politics can stir emotion, only good governance earns trust, writes Tertuis Simmers, who is leader of the DA in the Western Cape. Read the rest of the article here. Wake-up call: New political reality in the shifting sands of the Western Cape While the ANC is no longer a serious threat to the DA in the Western Cape, the latter party’s dominance in the province is not guaranteed as we head to the local government elections. Harlan Cloete examines the rise of the Patriotic Alliance and whether it will prove to be an existential threat to the DA. Read the rest of the article here. The SA doctor who swore at Netanyahu — and stands by every word Seven letters on social media thrust UN Special Rapporteur Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng into the spotlight. She speaks to in-depth writer Muhammad Hussain about confronting her own community of doctors at home after being found guilty for using a swear word. Read the rest of the article here.