Municipal elections: DA sticks to its stalwarts as ANC & EFF look to wrestle control of Cape Town

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has opted to maintain stability by leaning on its established stalwarts, including aldermen JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg, as it seeks to retain control of the City of Cape Town in the upcoming 2026 municipal elections.

With the political landscape becoming increasingly competitive, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are ramping up their campaigns in the Western Cape, aiming to erode the DA’s dominance in the metro.

Observers note that while the DA has historically maintained a firm grip on the city, the emergence of smaller parties and shifting voter demographics are creating a more unpredictable environment. The ANC has reportedly deployed a significant team to focus on ward-level engagement, signaling a professionalized approach to wresting influence from the governing party.

As the campaign season intensifies, all eyes remain on whether the DA’s strategy of prioritizing experienced leadership will be sufficient to withstand the growing pressure from opposition parties seeking to reshape the city’s governance.