Staff Reporter
The DA says it is leading in six of South Africa’s eight metros ahead of the local government elections, with its internal polling also putting its national support at 28.4%, just behind the ANC on 29.6%.
It said on Sunday that the gap between the two parties has narrowed to the point where the “DA is now within striking distance of becoming South Africa’s largest political party”.
It is urging its members to vote on 4 November so that it can achieve a majority in many places.
“A strong performance would not only position the DA to lead governments in more municipalities, but would also lay the foundation for the DA to become South Africa’s largest political party nationally in 2029,” it said in a statement.
“This election is about more than which party finishes first. It is about demonstrating that South Africa can move beyond the failures of the ANC and the instability of chaotic coalitions.”
The party has not made its polling data public. However, according to News24, the data shows that in Johannesburg the DA has double the support of the ANC at 39%, to the ANC’s 20%.
In Mangaung it is leading with 36% to the ANC’s 34%. It is only in eThekwini where it is the second-largest party after the MK Party.
News24 reported that the party said it was also leading in Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Nelson Mandela Bay and Cape Town. Buffalo City was not in the polling data.
The party’s national figure differs from other polls. A Social Research Foundation/The Common Sense poll conducted from 18 September to 12 October among 3,100 respondents put the ANC on 32% and the DA on 26%.
And a News24/SABI Strategy Group national poll reported in early October put the ANC on 31.6% and the DA on 25.2%.
