2026 Local Government Elections: Who is running for mayor in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and other metros?
As South Africa prepares for the local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026, political parties are finalizing their mayoral candidates for the country’s major metropolitan municipalities.
In Cape Town, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has confirmed that incumbent Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis will seek re-election. Hill-Lewis, who was recently elected as the leader of the DA, is campaigning on a platform of service delivery, infrastructure development, and public safety. Other candidates vying for the Cape Town mayoral seat include Dereleen James, Brett Herron of the Good Party, and Cheslyn Steenberg of the Patriotic Alliance.
In Johannesburg, the African National Congress (ANC) is in the final stages of its selection process, with Reverend Frank Chikane emerging as a prominent frontrunner to lead the party’s efforts to unify and secure the metro. Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have officially unveiled their slate of mayoral candidates for the 2026 polls. During a manifesto launch and 13th-anniversary celebration in Thohoyandou, EFF leader Julius Malema announced that the party is fielding key national leaders to contest major metros, emphasizing a focus on improved service delivery and increased municipal funding.
The EFF has named key figures in its national leadership as mayoral candidates for major metros, including Deputy President Godrich Gardee, National Chairperson Nontando Nolutshungo and Treasurer-General Omphile Maotwe.
The EFF’s list of candidates for other key areas includes Mkhululi Dlevu for Buffalo City and Sinawo Thambo for Nelson Mandela Bay. Malema has insisted that the party has fielded its strongest possible candidates to address the challenges facing South African municipalities.
As the election date approaches, the political landscape remains highly competitive, with parties focusing on their records of governance and promises for future development in the face of ongoing service delivery concerns across the country.