Picture: DA’s North West Provincial Leader and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Freddy Sonakile
STAFF REPORTER
10 November 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has emerged as the second-largest political party in the North West following the 2026 Local Government Elections, overtaking the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as its support increased to 14.3%. The party welcomed the election results, describing its performance as significant progress in expanding its political footprint across the province.
According to the DA’s North West Provincial Leader and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Freddy Sonakile, the party increased its provincial support from 11.39% in the 2021 Local Government Elections to 14.30% in 2026, securing approximately 255 400 votes across the ward and proportional representation ballots. Sonakile said the party also recorded an increase in its local council representation, growing from 90 councillors in 2021 to 109 in the latest elections.
“With an additional 11 district councillors, the DA now has a total of 120 representatives across the province. The growth reflected the party’s expanding support across all four districts, with notable gains in several municipalities. In JB Marks, the DA increased its support by 6.42 percentage points, while its council representation grew from 17 to 21 councillors.
“In Matlosana, the party recorded an increase of approximately six percentage points, taking its representation from 16 to 20 councillors. Mahikeng also delivered improved results for the DA, with support increasing by five percentage points and the number of councillors rising from five to seven,” he said.
Sonakile further said the party has doubled its representation in Moses Kotane, increasing from two to four councillors, while in Moretele its representation grew from three to five. He added that in Greater Taung, the DA’s support increased significantly from 2.32% to 7.15%, with its council representation growing from one to three councillors.
“Another notable development was recorded in Ditsobotla, where the party gained approximately 3 500 additional votes, secured five councillors and moved into official opposition status. We have experienced additional electoral gains in Rustenburg and Madibeng, while increasing its representation in Ramotshere Moiloa, Ratlou and Maquassi Hills.
“The results demonstrated that the party was extending its electoral reach beyond traditionally strong areas into towns, townships, villages and rural communities where its support had historically been limited. We would like to express gratitude to voters who supported the party, as well as its candidates, public representatives, activists, volunteers and party structures who contributed to its election campaign,” said Sonakile.
He said they have also acknowledged voters who supported other political parties, emphasising that elected representatives had a responsibility to serve all residents, irrespective of their political affiliations. Sonakile said the party recognised that its increased representation came with greater responsibility and that its councillors would now have to focus on holding municipalities accountable, improving basic service delivery, strengthening financial oversight and creating an environment conducive to investment and job creation.
“While we welcome these electoral gains, we recognise that increased representation brings greater responsibility. Although the election campaign had come to an end, the party’s responsibility to serve communities would continue.
“We would enter the new municipal term committed to constructive and accountable local government, with the aim of earning the trust placed in it through its work in municipal councils and communities,” he said.
