2016 election result a tipping point for South Africa

06 August 2016

Note to Editors: These were the remarks made by the Leader of the Democratic Alliance, Mmusi Maimane, at a press conference today at the IEC’s Results Operations Centre (“The ROC”). Mr Maimane was joined by the Chairperson of the DA’s Federal Executive, James Selfe, and DA National Spokesperson, Phumzile Van Damme.

Just over 100 days ago, we launched our local government election campaign with an offer of real and positive change for our country. With nearly all of the votes counted, it is now clear that the people of South Africa have voted for change. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who supported us on Wednesday. We will work day and night to repay the faith you have shown in us. 

In years to come, and as our politics realigns, this election will be seen as a tipping point. It will be remembered as the moment that the ANC lost its foothold as the dominant party, and the DA emerged as a serious contender to win a national election.

This is good news for our democracy. For too long, the ANC has misgoverned our country with impunity. Millions of jobs have been lost, corruption has become endemic in ANC governments and hundreds of thousands of people are without basic services.

On Wednesday, the people of South Africa took charge of their destiny and voted for a different future. Nationally, the ANC’s result has collapsed from 64,8% in 2006, to 61,9% in 2011, to 54% in 2016. The DA has grown from 16,2% in 2006, to 23,9% in 2011, to 27,1% in 2016. 

The DA’s support increased in all communities, and particularly in places that were previously ANC strongholds. For example: 

In the Eastern Cape, in Umzimvubu Ward 23, the DA grew its support from 1% in 2011 to 45% in 2016. 

In the Eastern Cape, in Ntabankulu Ward 4, the DA grew its support from 0,2% in 2011, to 45,3% in 2016. 

In Gauteng, in Tshwane Ward 38 in Mamelodi, the DA grew its support from 7% in 2011 to 30,6% in 2016. 

In the Western Cape, in Philippi Ward 88, the DA grew from 4% in 2011 to 30% in 2016. 

In KwaZulu-Natal, in eDumbe, the DA has grown from 4,4% in 2011 to 30% in 2016. 

These are just a few examples, but there are hundreds of others. The myth of the DA as a ‘white’ party has finally been shattered. More and more black South Africans are seeing the difference we can make where we govern and are entrusting us with their votes.

As a result of the DA’s growth, we are now preparing to form governments in four metros and 46 local municipalities. 

In Cape Town, the DA increased its share of the vote from 41.85% in 2006 to 60.92 % in 2011 to 67 % in 2016. This is a resounding endorsement of DA governance under Mayor Patricia de Lille, who has been elected to serve the people of Cape Town for another five years. 

In Nelson Mandela Bay, the DA emerged as the largest party with 46,71% of the vote, up from 40,13% in 2011. Our mayoral candidate, Athol Trollip, will form a coalition government to deliver to all the people of Nelson Mandela Bay.

In Johannesburg, the DA set out to bring the ANC below 50%. It is clear that the ANC will end closer to 45%. Our mayoral candidate, Herman Mashaba, will be seeking to lead a coalition government in Johannesburg.

In Tshwane, the DA has grown from 30,69% in 2006 to approximately 43% in 2016. By contrast, the ANC’s support collapsed from 56% to approximately 41,5% in the same period. Our mayoral candidate, Solly Msimanga, will be seeking to lead a coalition government in Tshwane.

In Ekurhuleni, the DA has grown from in 25% 2006, to 34,2% in 2016. The ANC’s support has collapsed from 61% in 2006 and 2011 to 48,6% in 2016. Our mayoral candidate, Ghaleb Cachalia, will seek to lead a coalition government in Ekurhuleni.

In Midvaal, we have won outright and with an increased majority, and in Mogale there is also the potential for a DA-led coalition government. 

This means that, beyond our expectations, we have the potential to form a government in all 3 of the Gauteng metros, and Mogale City.

Outside of the metros, the DA won 19 municipalities with an outright majority. They span three provinces, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. We are also in a position to form coalition governments in councils in the Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and Limpopo. In other words, we are in the unprecedented position of being able to form potential council governments in 8 of the 9 provinces. (Full list below)

Where we govern, we will govern for all, and will work day and night to improve the lives of the poor. The instruction to all DA-led governments is clear: govern with honesty and humility, so that all can see the difference a DA government makes to people’s lives. 

When Helen Zille was elected Leader of the DA in 2007, she promised to realign politics in South Africa – beginning with the coalition government that she formed in the City of Cape Town. When I was elected Leader, I set the objective of growing significantly in new communities, and creating a party of alternative government to the ANC. I have the privelege that, ten years later, we have the opportunity to take this project to the next level by forming DA-led governments in cities and towns across South Africa. We regard this responsibility of governing well for South Africans as the most important task in advancing our freedom. 

Every person who voted for the DA voted for change, and we will endeavour to deliver that change. This does not mean that we will seek coalitions just for the sake of taking power in a municipality. We contest elections to implement our policies and improve people’s lives, and we will not be part of a coalition agreement that prevents us from delivering on our mandate.

Whatever happens in the next few weeks, there can be no doubt that the tide in our country is turning. Our party’s task now is to build on this growth as we head towards the 2019 provincial and national elections. 

The provincial government of Gauteng is now firmly in our sights. The 2019 campaign starts right now, and it begins with governing well in all of the towns and cities where we are elected to serve. 

This election has established two powerful lessons for our young democracy. First, that it is legitimate for voters to choose a government other than the ANC, wherever they live and whatever their backgrounds. And second, that the power of the ANC’s divisive race narrative is diminishing day by day. People are making political choices based on the future they want for themselves and their families, and which party is most likely to deliver on that future. 

As pleased as we are today, we know that the hard work begins now. We will continue building an alternative political platform rooted in the values of the Constitution, with a vision of a united and prosperous South Africa for all. We know it will not be easy, but as Madiba said: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” 

Thank you.

Metro Election Results

Cape Town

Nelson Mandela Bay

Tshwane

Johannesburg: Not yet declared.

Besides the councils we have won outright, the DA could form governments in 50 councils, in 8 provinces:

Issued by the DA, 6 August 2016