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Cape Town, South Africa
Joined April 2009
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Name the 5 best run councils in South Africa. Which do you reckon are the 5 municipalities doing the best job in the country? Can you name 5? Please do try. Welcome to name less.
More elite nonsense. Please explain like I am 2 years old, how when people in Sharpeville and Boipatong - who cry today about years of terrible service delivery - and voted DA, is a sign of a shift to the right?
#LGE2026
The election results show signs of a shift to the right. The SA that will emerge in the next few years is hard to predict. Could it become like France - where young people finally wake up to do something - organise on the ground, not against illegal foreigners but for their own liberation, in which they need to become leaders? Or has the space opened up for authoritarianism? The ANC has led to this. Those who benefited from BEE, like Saki Makozoma, Vally Moosa, and Tokyo Sexwale, could either get involved on ther ground as they did during the UDF or keep accumulating personal wealth. They, too, must take responsibility for the ANC's demise.
Given the track record of the ANC in opposition benches in Cape Town, this could see the end of the ANC entirely. Go see for yourself. Utter shambles. And steady and continued decline in Cape Town. ANC in opposition is invisible and simply disconnected entirely.
#LGE2026
In the famous words (paraphrasing) of Casper de Vries: "OMO...was sewe soorte k*k uit enige bondel vuil wasgoed."
It's a fascinating side story of the #LGE2026 how the SACP is trying to reinvent itself as if it has not been the 3d leg on a three leg alliance chair for the past 30 years.
The SACP loved the ride when it went well. Now they want to say 'it wasn't me'.
Sorry Dan and all the other commentators.
This is not about the 'flowering of our democracy' (although it is a 'reckoning').
It is more like the implosion of the transformation project, which among others is the legacy of years of pursuing neoliberal economics, and its associated corruption and hollowing out of the democratic state.
The domination by right and centre-right parties will not 'save democracy' or ensure 'good governance' as we are being told.
Complacency by these right and centre-right parties about their apparent progress in winning electoral support is illusory, as they represent considerably *less than a quarter of eligible adults* (if you include the majority who are too alienated from politics to vote or to register).
The current trajectory of politics will deepen the dystopia in which economic benefits accrue to a tiny minority, essential services are privatised and can only be afforded by those with money, and far-right projects of hate take root as the masses are diverted to fighting amongst themselves.
The abandonment by the ANC of its progressive roots, and its deterioration into a vehicle of accumulation, is destroying it.
Although few believe it is still possible, the ANC's only route to renewal would be to reject the twin evils of neoliberal economics, and primitive accumulation via the state, and embrace a new direction.
The encouraging performance of the SACP (achieving around half a million votes so far and 79 seats), despite all its challenges- entering the race late, with minimal resources, and opposed by its alliance partner- shows that the electorate may be prepared to embrace a real alternative.
The close to three quarters of adults who didn't vote in these elections can only be brought back into the political process by a progressive party or alliance of parties that addresses their real material concerns.
This analysis from 2017- arguing that the democratic project needs to address the challenges of both the predatory elite and capital- remains relevant to the core questions facing our politics today.
dailymaverick.co.za/opinioni…
James Styan retweeted
The DA is currently double the size of the ANC in the City of Johannesburg. That’s a remarkable result in itself.
James Styan retweeted
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the party is ready to work with other political parties to establish stable coalition governments following what he describes as a historic performance in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Addressing the media, Hill-Lewis said the election results presented the DA with an opportunity to turn around several municipalities and cities across the country.
The DA says it will be the only party to govern a metropolitan municipality with an outright majority, following a strong victory in Cape Town. He says it has also emerged as the largest party in four other metros – Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Nelson Mandela Bay.
The party expects to gain approximately 104 additional wards and 233 councillors nationally.
Hill-Lewis also highlighted that roughly one million black South Africans voted for the DA, describing this as evidence of the party’s growing support across communities.
He thanked voters for their support, saying the DA understood the responsibility that came with the mandate.
COALITION TALKS
Attention now turns to coalition negotiations, with the DA confirming that it has already started engaging other political parties to establish stable governments.
Hill-Lewis said the party wants to bring parties together around a shared programme focused on effective service delivery and good governance.
He identified key priorities as:
Reliable water and basic services.
Safer streets and communities.
Job creation and an environment conducive to business growth.
Zero tolerance for corruption.
Merit-based appointments.
Sound financial management.
Stable and accountable local government.
The DA says it is prepared to work with any political party willing to put residents first and commit to these principles.
Hill-Lewis stressed that coalition agreements would be made public once finalised, although negotiations would not be conducted through the media.
He said the DA’s immediate priority was to ensure that municipalities deliver meaningful improvements to residents’ lives.
Hill-Lewis described the election as an important step towards the DA’s ambition of becoming South Africa’s largest political party.
He said the party would use its growing support to strengthen its presence in communities and demonstrate that capable governance can improve people’s lives.
He concluded by saying the DA was ready to work with other parties to build stable, inclusive and accountable governments.
You were wrong. Corruption, greed and incompetence killed the ANC. Ignoring of the poorest of the poor killed the ANC. People have no water to drink. Rubbish piles up. And people like Mokonyane who Zondo said has to be prosecuted, is a top 6 leader. Look inside. Not outside.
Further proof of how people who care about service delivery are endorsing the DA difference. Midvaal another example. Kouga and Cape Town too. Once communities see the investment and impact into their communities, they increase their support for the DA.
"The struggle continues."
Nomvula Mokonyane on the ANC performance in this #LGE2026
Well. Indeed.
The ANC briefs the media on the outcome of this #LGE2026 and the person leading the show (the DSG) is Nomvula Mokonyane.
Pretty much says what's wrong with the ANC.
This is the person the Zondo commission said had to be prosecuted for her involvment in the Bosasa scandal.
James Styan retweeted
The “what about Khayelitsha” social media warriors are having a meltdown. 🤣
In reality, communities see the work of the DA. In public lighting, roads, housing, safety, and waste management. Water & sanitation, sanitation indigent relief etc. @Our_DA, @geordinhl, WELL DONE!
Nah. Poor analysis. As you can see looking at places like ward 98, Khayelitsha. DA 1919 votes (2021: 255 votes). 655% growth.
People notice when you invest in their areas. And they vote for change when you don't.
Look forward to seeing @brettherron back in the City of Cape Town opposition benches, working for his constituents. You will be coming to the city right Brett?
James Styan retweeted
DA’s first Election Results projection: DA attains over 1-million votes from Black South Africans, overtaking EFF
By Ashor Sarupen
DA Federal Council Chairperson
This morning I made the DA’s first results projection, from the floor of the IEC National Results Operation Centre.
The DA’s election data modelling indicates that, for the first time in our history, more than one million black South Africans will have voted for the Democratic Alliance, in this Local Government Election of 2026.
Our projections also indicate that the DA will have received more votes from black South Africans than the EFF, making us a mainstream party in every community, whether you are black, white, coloured or Indian.
These are projections, and we await the final certified results.
But the significance of this potential milestone goes far beyond the numbers.
For too long, South African politics has been defined by the assumption that the colour of your skin determines the party you vote for.
The DA has always believed that South Africa can be different, that we can build a party for all, that works for all, and that delivers for all.
Early results suggest that this vision is finding support across more communities than ever before.
It is a reminder that political parties do not have to rely on racial division, resentment or hatred to build support. South Africans can find common cause in the things that unite us: the desire for good government, opportunity, dignity and a better future for all South Africans.
And perhaps the most remarkable thing about this election is what it means for the elections still to come.
We are moving towards a South Africa in which voting for the DA, regardless of the colour of your skin or the community in which you live, is no longer regarded as an unusual political choice.
A South Africa in which voting for the a party for all South Africans, whether you are black, white, coloured or Indian, is unremarkable, is, in itself, remarkable.
Because it means that the old racial boundaries of our politics are beginning to lose their hold.
It would mean that a country for all is not simply an aspiration, but something South Africans are choosing to build together.
And it would mean that the future of our politics is no longer determined by the divisions of our past.
James Styan retweeted
Why should a journalist NOT tell the people the truth that is right before them, @MbalulaFikile? Johannesburg has collpsed! What is bad are politicians trying to lie about it.
James Styan retweeted
Mandela Park Stadium: Take a look at the upgraded Khayelitsha athletics stadium with a new track, long jump, and other facilities now COMPLETED 💙👏
This beautiful new facility will keep our youth active and make Khayelitsha safer.
In Cape Town we believe every young child deserves the same access to great community facilities.
South Africa’s future athletics champions will train here 🤩🇿🇦
Read more: tinyurl.com/3czmxv87
Africa's RICHEST city.
Driving along Jan Smuts Avenue last night. Aside from a few pockets of streetlight, the roads were shrouded in darkness. With rubbish overflowing and water off in large parts of the city, @CityofJoburgZA is not even making a pretence of governance ahead of elections.