DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis declared on Friday that the party will emerge as the largest political force in major metropolitan areas, such as Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Nelson Mandela Bay; as he turned his sights on the need to build stable coalitions.

With over 70% of ballots counted by 09:00 on Friday, the ANC is set for a significant decline in electoral support.

Reflecting on the incoming election results, Hill-Lewis stated that citizens have granted the DA a “historic opportunity” to turn the country's towns and cities around.

"We must take it. We must now rise to the occasion. Now that the rough and tumble of the election campaign is done, leaders must lift their sights, put aside their differences, and prioritise the people of South Africa," Hill-Lewis said.

He committed the DA to working hard over the coming weeks to build functioning local governments, promising to approach upcoming discussions with “strict respect” for the mandate each party received from voters.

As the final ballots are counted, Hill-Lewis expressed satisfaction with the electoral trends, describing a stronger DA that is now "deeply embedded in every single community in the country."

The party secured victories spanning major urban metros to deep rural areas, including Mount Ayliff, Fort Beaufort, Emfuleni, and uMngeni. Notably, the DA is projected to gain 104 new wards and approximately 233 new councillors nationwide.

Hill-Lewis explained that Cape Town delivered a “resounding endorsement” that exceeded party expectations, to ensure that the DA remains the only party to govern a metro without needing a coalition.

He noted that roughly one-million black South Africans voted for the DA on Wednesday.

Hill-Lewis pointed out that the party achieved its highest-ever support in Cape Town townships and recorded similar surges in townships across the country, particularly where the DA already governs.

"Voters can see the effort the DA makes to govern well for everyone and improve the living conditions and dignity of every person," he added.

With no single party holding an absolute majority in several key metros, national attention will now shift to coalition negotiations. Hill-Lewis confirmed that the DA has already initiated contact with other political parties to begin discussions on forming stable governments.

Hill-Lewis is looking at a “shared programme of good governance” and he outlined the non-negotiable core principles for any potential coalition partner, including bringing integrity to local government, establishing stable governance and enforcing zero tolerance for corruption.

He said parties must be willing to implement merit-based appointments, maintain sound financial management and deliver measurable improvements in basic services.

"We must have governing coalitions that focus on getting water into people’s taps, delivering reliable services, making streets safer, and creating an environment in which businesses can grow and create jobs," he emphasised.

Hill-Lewis stated that negotiations will not be conducted through the media. However, in a bid to ensure total transparency, the DA has committed to publishing all final coalition agreements openly once they are concluded.