Cape Town mayoral race: Meet the candidates for the 2026 local elections

The Cape Town mayoral race is heating up as political parties unveil their candidates for the 4 November local government elections.

The City of Cape Town has been governed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) since 2006, with the party maintaining majority support in the metropolitan municipality. The city has often been praised for its governance and audit performance.

However, inequality remains a major challenge, with some residents living in informal settlements without reliable access to water, proper sanitation and electricity. Affordability is also a concern, as rising living costs and property prices put pressure on residents.

With smaller parties seeking to expand their support and competition from parties such as the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and ActionSA, the DA faces a contest to retain control of the metro.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE CAPE TOWN MAYORAL CANDIDATES

Geordin Hill-Lewis – Democratic Alliance

Geordin Hill-Lewis is the incumbent mayor of Cape Town and the DA’s federal leader. He is seeking another term as the party attempts to retain control of the municipality.

The DA will be looking to defend its record in the city while addressing concerns about service delivery, inequality and the cost of living.

Cape Town’s SWAT and Drone Unit have arrived 🚨👏

Highly skilled SWAT and drone teams are now ready to help SAPS tackle gang violence, extortion and violent crime.

Next up, we will build a Metro Police Detective Unit and keep fighting for the power to investigate crime so we… pic.twitter.com/YaFktZlfAY

— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) October 7, 2026

Nontando Nolutshungu – Economic Freedom Fighters

Nontando Nolutshungu, the EFF’s national chairperson and a Member of Parliament, is the party’s mayoral candidate for Cape Town.

The EFF will be seeking to expand its support in the metro and advance its political programme in the city.

The DA cannot continue selling well-located municipal land to private developers for developments that working-class communities cannot afford.

We must use public land strategically to expand affordable housing and dismantle apartheid spatial planning.

Catch the full… pic.twitter.com/7DnMIdE2jt

— Nontando Nolutshungu (@Nolutshungu_N) September 11, 2026

Dereleen James – ActionSA

Dereleen James, a Member of Parliament for ActionSA, has been selected as the party’s mayoral candidate for Cape Town.

ActionSA is seeking to strengthen its presence in the metro and challenge the DA’s long-standing dominance.

Brett Herron – GOOD Party and Rise Mzansi

Brett Herron, the secretary-general of the GOOD Party, is the joint mayoral candidate for GOOD and Rise Mzansi.

The partnership aims to offer voters an alternative in the city’s mayoral contest.

Cheslyn Daniels – Patriotic Alliance

Cheslyn Daniels is the Patriotic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for Cape Town.

The PA will be seeking to build on its support in the city as it competes with established parties for votes in the upcoming local government elections.

The African National Congress (ANC) is yet to announce its mayoral candidate for the metro.