Haniff Hoosen announced as DA’s mayoral candidate for eThekwini in 2026 elections
Haniff Hoosen has been officially announced as the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) KwaZulu-Natal mayoral candidate for eThekwini ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
The announcement came during a live event at Havenside Community Hall in Chatsworth on Friday, where DA federal leader John Steenhuisen addressed party supporters and residents.
“It is with huge pride that I can introduce you today that fighting campaigner, that general, a man who has served you in council, a man with experience in parliament, a leader who has the knowledge, the experience, but most of all, the courage to rebuild this city,” Steenhuisen said, introducing Hoosen as the DA’s candidate to lead the city’s renewal.
He added, “Under his leadership, we are going to restore dignity in our neighbourhoods and invest in our townships. We’re going to light up our streets, fix our water tanks, sewage systems, and make this city work for all its citizens.”
Steenhuisen, who was raised in Durban and served as a city councillor for a decade, spoke about the challenges facing the city under the current ANC-led government.
“Durban is not merely where I grew up; it is where my family is, it is my home, it is my community.
“And it is because I, like you, love this city that I am unwilling to watch it fall into decay, corruption, and maladministration. It’s time to clean up and clean out.”
The DA leader was critical of the ANC, noting that even President Cyril Ramaphosa had recently urged his party’s councillors to “learn from the DA.”
However, Steenhuisen expressed little faith in the ANC’s ability to reform. “The President is wrong because he thinks the ANC can be fixed,” he said.
“They cannot be fixed, and they will not survive. They will not be in City Hall after the next election, they will be at Avbob, because that’s where dead parties go,” Steenhuisen said, referring to the funeral insurance company as a metaphor for the ANC’s political demise.
Rejecting accusations that the DA relies on “magic,” Steenhuisen said the party is focused on delivery.
“If you want magic, Mr President, go to Disneyland. But all you will get from the DA is delivery. That’s what you’ll get from us, honesty and hard work every day to make life better for South Africans.”
He pointed to the DA’s governance record in other municipalities, including Cape Town’s 21 consecutive clean audits, Midvaal’s 11 clean audits, and Umgeni Municipality’s ranking as KwaZulu-Natal’s best-performing municipality under DA leadership.
Steenhuisen warned voters about radical alternatives like the MK and EFF, saying, “The MK and the EFF are not builders. They are breakers. They have no plan, no vision, and no interest in serving you. Their mission is to take us back to nine wasted years of looting.”
“This is about delivery, not empty promises,” Steenhuisen said. “We want to put water in your taps, fix your roads, and make your streets safer.”
He highlighted the severe service delivery problems facing eThekwini, including rolling blackouts, water shortages, and sewage leaking into the streets, arguing that residents deserve a government that works for them.
“This election is a choice between collapse and renewal, corruption and accountability, chaos and competence,” he said.
The DA leader also formally introduced Helen Zille as the party’s mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg last weekend.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
IOL Politics