DA says voter turnout will decide its local election fortunes

The DA says its closing push before the local government elections rests on two things: winning over people who have not yet decided how to vote, and making sure its own supporters actually show up, The Citizen reported.

Werner Horn, who is deputy head of campaigns for the party, made the remarks on The Movement podcast in conversation with Itumeleng Mafisa. They covered campaign strategy, coalitions, service delivery and criticism of the party.

Why turnout matters to the DA

Horn said most voters have already settled on a party, but he thinks the undecided group is still big enough to sway results. The DA’s final rally is aimed at those people. He also noted that fewer people have taken part in local elections over recent cycles, and argued that the size of the turnout may well decide how each party does.

In Cape Town, the DA wants an outright majority, but Horn cautioned that a low turnout could put that goal at risk. In Johannesburg, he said Helen Zille is well placed to take the party to the top spot as the biggest party. The difficulty, he said, is gathering enough support to form a stable coalition.

Coalitions and the party’s record

Horn warned that shaky coalitions hurt service delivery, pointing to the instability Johannesburg went through after earlier elections. He brushed aside talk that opposition parties had already begun talks to shut the DA out of the city’s government, saying parties should put residents first.

He said the DA does not intend to sign a wide-ranging coalition deal with the ANC, though he accepted that negotiations might become necessary once the votes are counted.

Horn also pushed back on claims that the DA favours suburbs over townships. He said municipalities run by the party have shown they can upgrade infrastructure and deliver basic services. He rejected the view that the DA is a white party, describing it as diverse, with support across communities.

Setting the DA apart from the ANC, Horn said his party stands for personal opportunity, free enterprise and pushing decisions down to local level. He charged that the ANC tolerates corruption and shields poorly performing officials in local government. These are his views as a party representative and were not tested in the interview as reported.

What this means for voters

• Turnout matters: Horn’s own argument is that results can swing on how many people vote, especially in tight contests.
• Coalitions can affect daily life: he linked unstable municipal governments to weaker service delivery.
• The interview is one party’s campaign pitch. Voters may want to compare what each party promises on services and finances before they vote.

This story is based on reporting by The Citizen.