The DA is taking a hard line against President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent campaign rhetoric, with DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis declaring that the ANC is entering a phase of "terminal decline" ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

Hill-Lewis predicted a major political shift in the upcoming polls, asserting that the ANC will soon govern far fewer of South Africa's major cities and towns.

The friction follows from comments made in the ANC’s local government manifesto. Ramaphosa suggested that ANC-run municipalities hold a distinct advantage because their mayors can easily leverage national government connections by turning to a fellow "comrade”.

Hill-Lewis criticised this stance, labelling it as “profoundly out of step” with South Africa's modern political landscape and a desperate attempt to cling to the "comrade State" as a lifeline.

More importantly, he noted that it directly contradicts the spirit and reality of the Government of National Unity, formed after the 2024 general elections, where the ANC lost its outright majority and now governs nationally alongside the DA and other coalition partners.

"After decades of broken promises and failing municipalities, Ramaphosa is now asking South Africans to vote ANC not because it can make government work, but because its 'comrades' occupy positions in the State," Hill-Lewis said. "That is precisely the old politics South Africa is leaving behind."

The DA leader maintained that the "comrade" system has completely failed to maintain or fix local infrastructure.

Instead, he argued, it has left towns and cities broken, a reality that the ANC is incapable of reversing.

"The ANC still struggles to distinguish between the party and the State. But the South Africa Ramaphosa is describing is disappearing," Hill-Lewis stated.

He emphasised that public resources should not depend on political alignment, noting that taxes funding water, electricity, roads and housing belong to South African citizens, not political parties.

He said public services must function because a government is competent and accountable, not because a local mayor has the right political connections.

DA'S LONG-TERM PLAN

Looking ahead to the elections, Hill-Lewis said the DA is actively fighting to become the largest party in at least four major metros, including all three metros in Gauteng, with the goal of restoring basic service delivery.

This local government push is part of a broader, long-term strategy. The party aims to use local successes to lead the Gauteng provincial government in 2029 and, ultimately, form a DA-led national government.

Hill-Lewis drew a contrast between the ANC and DA heading into the polls: "The ANC says vote for them because their comrades control the State. The DA says vote for us because we know how to make the State work."