Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) mayoral candidate for Cape Town, warned on 27 October 2026 that votes splitting among smaller parties risk the DA losing its outright majority in the city and potentially forcing a coalition government after the 4 November local elections.
Hill-Lewis said internal party polling indicates the DA stands at 51% to 52% support in Cape Town, a margin he called “too close for comfort.” He urged voters to back the DA directly to prevent “coalition chaos” that could arise if smaller parties each take around 1% of the vote.
Speaking at a campaign event in Blouberg, Hill-Lewis unveiled a poster warning voters of the risks of dividing support among opposition parties. “If voters just vote for [opposition parties], 1% each, what they can do is throw the city into the risk of having a coalition government,” he said.
Multiple independent polls reflected similar figures, with News24 reporting the DA at roughly 51%, while other polls such as News24/SABI Strategy Group placed the party at 56%. Despite slightly differing figures, all indicate a closer race than the DA has historically faced in Cape Town, a city it has governed for two decades.
The DA’s concern centres on the fragmentation of the opposition vote. Hill-Lewis’s comments highlight the strategic importance of rallying Cape Town’s electorate behind the DA to maintain single-party control. He appealed directly: “I am calling on Capetonians to keep coalition chaos out of our city by voting for the Democratic Alliance on 4 November.”
The warnings come as the city prepares for local government elections on 4 November, with Hill-Lewis and the DA working to shore up support amid signs of tightened competition. The possibility of a coalition government raises questions about governing stability and decision-making within Cape Town, with coalition arrangements historically complicating service delivery and governance coherence in South African municipalities.
While Hill-Lewis’s internal polling figures are reported solely by DA sources and not independently verified, the consistency of multiple polls pointing to a tighter race is clear. The exact impact of smaller parties’ vote shares remains speculative until votes are tallied. Claims that the ANC or EFF could take over Cape Town in a coalition were not confirmed and remain political warnings rather than factual outcomes.
The implications for Cape Town’s governance are significant. After 20 years of DA control, a coalition could alter the political landscape and influence policy priorities in the city. Residents will be watching closely to see if the DA can hold firm or if smaller parties succeed in breaking its majority.
Cape Flats News will follow developments after the election and report on coalition negotiations or other significant outcomes that could affect Cape Town’s future governance.