2026 Local Government Elections: Who is running for mayor in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and other metros?

As South Africa gears up for the 2026 local government elections scheduled for 4 November, political parties are finalizing their mayoral candidates for the country’s major metropolitan municipalities.

In Cape Town, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has confirmed incumbent Geordin Hill-Lewis as its mayoral candidate. Other notable figures in the Cape Town race include Dereleen James, Brett Herron of the Good Party, and Cheslyn Daniels of the Patriotic Alliance.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, have announced their slate of mayoral candidates for all eight metropolitan municipalities, emphasizing a focus on service delivery and increased funding for local government.

Meanwhile, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has unveiled its own list of candidates for six metros. Their selections include Bongani Baloyi for Johannesburg, Thulani Shongwe for Ekurhuleni, Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi for eThekwini (Durban), Mapaseka Mothibi for Mangaung, Mzwandile Vaaiboom for Buffalo City, and Mvuleni Map for Nelson Mandela Bay.

The MK Party candidates will become the faces of its campaign across some of South Africa’s biggest municipalities, engaging directly with voters through public meetings and debates.

The African National Congress (ANC) is also in the process of finalizing its internal candidate selection procedures as the election date approaches.