The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced that, after finalising its candidate nomination regulations, applications will open on 1 February 2025 to join their team as councillor candidates. This is in preparation for the upcoming local government elections in 2026.
Party wants ‘skilled’ South Africans
In a media statement by John Steenhuisen, Leader of the DA, he said that the party’s Federal Council met on 27 January 2025 to finalise its candidate nomination regulations. This is in preparation for the upcoming local government elections. The party will open applications for those who would like to become a DA councillor on 1 February 2025.
This comes after a six-month process during which DA provincial and regional structures submitted proposals to improve and streamline the party’s candidate nomination regulations, following the general election last May.
‘We are looking for skilled South Africans who have an interest in rescuing the towns and cities in which they live, from mismanagement and decay, and who are committed to undertaking the responsibility of the critical work of a Local Government Councillor,’ stated Steenhuisen.
DA’s Catalyst Programme and mayoral candidates
This year, for the first time and in parallel to the general candidate application process, the DA will also be running a programme for 77 aspirant individuals who the party invited to join a year-long in-depth course – the Catalyst Programme – to prepare them to compete in the candidate nomination process. The DA selected these participants in September 2024.
The party’s Federal Council chairperson, Helen Zille, said the general candidate application process is not limited to party members only.
📢 The DA is looking for skilled South Africans to rescue our country! If you’re passionate about leading & serving your community, apply to become a DA Councillor Candidate. Online applications open 1 Feb! pic.twitter.com/GK2ZZzolNb
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) January 29, 2025
The DA will also open applications for aspirant mayoral candidates in its metropolitan areas on 1 March 2025. The metros, particularly Gauteng, will be the focal point of the elections in 2026.
Steenhuisen emphasised that the party aims to be the biggest party in metro municipalities in South Africa after the upcoming elections.
DA declares formal dispute with Ramaphosa and ANC
The DA recently declared a formal Government of National Unity (GNU) dispute over the Expropriation Bill and the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act.
According to Steenhuisen, the Expropriation Bill is unconstitutional. ‘By signing the unconstitutional Expropriation Bill into law and refusing to engage with the DA regarding detrimental implications of implementing the NHI in its current form, the ANC has shown open disregard for the founding principles on which the GNU was based,’ said Steenhuisen.
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