On Saturday, the 9th of November 2024, the Provincial Council of the Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal met to consider the party’s performance in government since joining the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), and to assess political developments in the province.
At the meeting, the highest decision-making body between congresses received reports from its leaders in the Provincial Government, uMngeni Municipality and uMhlathuze Municipality.
The council also considered the current political environment and developments that have taken place across the province, and in municipalities.
Furthermore, the party took stock of its election performance in 2024 and began the process towards its strategic plan for the upcoming local government elections in 2026.
The Provincial Council noted the following:
1 – The party is pleased with the work of its representatives in the GPU which cover the Ministry of Finance, Public Works and Infrastructure and the Provincial Legislature. It was also pleased with the work of our chairpersons in COGTA, Health and SCOPA.
2 – Reports from our local governments showed pleasing progress, particularly in our flagship municipality of uMngeni which continues to make enormous strides in governance and service delivery, patricianly towards poor communities. The council also welcomed the work being done in uMhlathuze Municipality and the work championed by the Deputy Mayor to bring a resolution to the issue of coal trucks invading the town.
3 – The pleasing performance of the party in KwaZulu-Natal during the 2024 elections which saw us run the biggest campaign in our history. The success of the campaign gave the DA the power to form an integral part of the GPU which we are using to implement DA policies and positions on crucial issues. It has also been noted that the success of the DA in GPU has paid off handsomely in by-elections recently which saw us win all five wards we contested, including increasing our majority in all of them.
4 – The council noted the continued challenges being faced in municipalities like eThekwini, Msunduzi and KwaDukuza due to political instability which ultimately affects service delivery. Of particular concern is the financial performance of these municipalities which seems to only be getting worse. There remains great concerns over eThekwini’s inability to deal with the serious problems of water and sanitation which not only bring misery to residents, but have adverse affects on tourism ahead of the key holiday season.
5 – The party believes that the ANC press conference held last week Monday to attack the DA and IFP was highly regrettable and does not instil confidence in the GPU. The DA is of the view that differences between the parties on issues of real substance should be dealt with between leaders. The council therefore welcomed the meeting held by political parties in the GPU on Sunday.
6 – The Provincial Council reaffirmed the Party’s position that it is unavailable to assist the ANC in local government in KZN until the ousting of Cilliers Brink is rectified. The DA cannot be asked to support ANC local governments while the same ANC brings down DA-led governments in other provinces. It was further reinforced that the DA can not, and will not work in a government that includes the EFF, which is not a member of the GPU or GNU, as is the case in eThekwini.
7 – The council resolved that we must immediately begin preparing for the local government elections in 2026 and this work will begin in earnest with a strategic workshop to be held in early 2025.
8 – The council endorsed the party’s GPU roadshow will travel across the province to allow for leaders of the DA in KZN to meet with structures and voters which will allow them to raise any issues they may have, but also for the leadership to unpack the work and success that it has achieved since the formation of the GPU and GNU.
The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal has never been more united and focused than it is at present. With the party now being represented in local government and provincial government in KZN for the first time, this opportunity is the springboard for the party to continue to make further advancements in governance and service delivery.