The 2026 election promises that could shape the City’s future

Cape Town voters head to the polls on Wednesday, 4 November, with Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis seeking another term as opposition parties promise changes to housing, municipal bills, public transport and service delivery, ***Cape {town} Etc ***reports.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) faces challengers Nontando Nolutshungu of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Cheslyn Daniels of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), Dereleen James of ActionSA, Roger Solomons of Build One South Africa (BOSA) and Brett Herron, representing GOOD and Rise Mzansi. The ANC has not named a mayoral candidate.

Here is how the parties’ proposals compare across the issues affecting Cape Town residents.

Housing, land and rental costs

Hill-Lewis’s DA manifesto promises more affordable housing through the release of city land, expanded rental options with private-sector partners and higher rates for commercial short-term rental operators. The party opposes rent control.

GOOD and Rise Mzansi want rent-stabilised housing on public land, a Tenants Charter and restrictions on short-term letting. BOSA promises to double affordable housing delivery to 10 000 units a year and complete a municipal land audit within 90 days.

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ActionSA proposes freezing land sales during an asset audit before accelerating releases for housing. The party also wants a R100-per-night tourist levy on short-term accommodation. The PA supports equitable land access and rent regulation.

The EFF’s 2026 local government manifesto proposes freezing municipal land sales, expropriating abandoned land and hijacked buildings for affordable housing, and publishing transparent housing waiting lists. The ANC’s national manifesto prioritises well-located land for low-cost housing and promises to improve access to title deeds.

Water, electricity and municipal bills

The DA pledges to replace 100 kilometres of water pipes and 100 kilometres of sewer pipes annually, while buying more electricity from independent power producers, according to its Cape Town campaign commitments.

The EFF wants faster repairs to water leaks, an end to additional prepaid meter charges, free prepaid meter installations and a one-hour response time for electricity faults, as outlined in its local government manifesto.

The ANC proposes ringfencing electricity revenue for maintenance. Its national leadership has also discussed increasing free electricity for indigent households from 50 kWh to between 200 kWh and 300 kWh monthly. This proposed increase should be checked against an attributable ANC or government statement.

On municipal bills, ActionSA proposes a one-year rates freeze while the city audits its charges. GOOD and Rise Mzansi want a tariff review and budget restructuring, while the EFF proposes progressive tariffs and the write-off of historical indigent debt.

Jobs and economic opportunities

The DA promises at least 500 000 additional jobs over five years, with red-tape reductions intended to support economic growth, according to its campaign manifesto.

The EFF proposes reserving 40% of municipal jobs for people aged 18 to 35 and directing 80% of municipal procurement towards local small businesses. The ANC wants economic hubs closer to communities and greater investment in township economies.

BOSA promises to waive business licence fees for new small businesses, while the PA has linked safety with economic opportunities for young people.

Safety, policing and public spaces

The DA plans to establish a Metro Police Detective Unit and push for greater policing powers. Hill-Lewis has argued that the city cannot wait for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to tackle crime. The proposal forms part of the party’s Cape Town campaign commitments.

ActionSA has made safety its leading priority, promising a coordinated approach to dismantling drug-trafficking networks. BOSA wants a greater metro police presence.

The EFF proposes CCTV cameras, drones, gunshot-detection technology and crime-prevention forums in areas including Mitchells Plain and Philippi. It also wants municipal courts to strengthen by-law enforcement, according to its 2026 local government manifesto.

The ANC proposes partnerships with community policing forums and stronger responses to gender-based violence.

On refuse collection, the DA promises tougher action against illegal dumping and expanded cleaning services in informal settlements. The EFF wants to bring waste collection in-house and integrate waste pickers into the municipal system.

Public transport and support for vulnerable residents

ActionSA’s proposal for free weekday MyCiTi rides for residents would be funded through its proposed tourist levy. BOSA wants MyCiTi services extended to underserved communities.

The EFF proposes transport subsidies for pensioners, people with disabilities and unemployed residents, alongside better maintenance of municipal roads.

The ANC promises free basic services for indigent households within 100 days. The EFF wants grant recipients automatically registered for assistance within 90 days and an end to punitive service disconnections.

The DA, meanwhile, pledges to expand Safe Spaces and social services for homeless residents.

Accountability and municipal governance

The EFF wants all tenders published, guilty companies blacklisted and municipal officials subjected to lifestyle audits, according to its local government manifesto. GOOD and Rise Mzansi propose opening key council committees to public scrutiny.

BOSA wants a digital dashboard tracking city spending, while the ANC promises skills-based appointments and action informed by the Madlanga Commission’s findings.

The DA says it wants municipal jobs to go to people with the skills to do the work, according to its national and local campaign commitments.

Ultimately, the candidates offer different approaches to the same everyday pressures: finding affordable housing, paying municipal bills, accessing reliable services and feeling safe. Their promises provide voters with a basis for comparing priorities before casting their ballots.

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**Picture: **Felix Dlanagamandla / Gallo Images

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