Political momentum is steadily building across the Western Cape as parties begin formalising their mayoral candidates and refining campaign strategies ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
The Patriotic Alliance has confirmed Cheslyn Steenberg as its mayoral candidate for Cape Town, placing a relatively young but established councillor at the centre of its campaign. Steenberg, who has served in the City Council and previously secured a by-election victory in Kensington, represents the party’s effort to position itself as a growing force in the metro.
His selection reflects a broader trend among smaller parties to elevate candidates with local visibility and community engagement experience. For the Patriotic Alliance, which has been steadily expanding its footprint in parts of Cape Town, the focus appears to be on strengthening grassroots support while building a recognisable leadership profile ahead of the election.
At the same time, the African National Congress has begun its internal process to finalise mayoral candidates across major metros and secondary cities. Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has indicated that the process is expected to be completed by June, with an emphasis on leadership discipline, accountability and performance.
One of the more notable aspects of the ANC’s approach is its willingness to look beyond its traditional membership structures. By opening the selection process more broadly, the party appears to be responding to ongoing challenges around governance, internal cohesion and public confidence, particularly in urban centres where electoral competition is expected to be intense.
The Democratic Alliance, which currently governs the City of Cape Town, is expected to announce its next group of Western Cape candidates this week. While the party has not yet formally confirmed its Cape Town candidate, current Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is widely expected to retain the position following internal processes.
Meanwhile, other political formations are also preparing to enter the race. The National Coloured Congress has already named Ellen Pakkies as its candidate, positioning its campaign around representation of communities that it argues have been overlooked. ActionSA and GOOD have both indicated that they will announce their candidates in the coming weeks, adding further layers to what is shaping up to be a competitive and closely watched contest.
With multiple parties now actively preparing their campaigns, the early stages of the election cycle are beginning to reveal the strategies, leadership choices and priorities that could define the race for control of Cape Town in the months ahead.
Source: IOL – Theolin Tembo.
