Black South Africans Dump Old Parties To Vote DA In Mass Numbers

DA claims over one million Black votes as party surges in 2026 local elections

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has said more than one million Black South Africans voted for his party in this week’s local government elections, as early results show the DA strengthening its position nationwide.

Speaking as counting continued on Friday, Hill-Lewis said the party expected to emerge as the largest in four of the country’s major metropolitan municipalities. With 71 per cent of voting districts declared nationally, the DA stood on 24.46 per cent support, up from 21.66 per cent in the 2021 local elections.

The party is also projected to retain an outright majority in the City of Cape Town. Hill-Lewis described the results as encouraging and said the DA would prioritise stable coalition talks focused on service delivery and putting residents first.

The figures mark a notable shift for the DA, which has traditionally drawn stronger support from minority communities. Hill-Lewis pointed to the scale of Black support as evidence that the party is broadening its appeal.

Final results are still being counted, but the early trends point to a more competitive political landscape at local government level, with the DA positioned to play a larger role in several key metros.

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