HOWICK, KWA-ZULU NATAL — The Democratic Alliance (DA) has officially named Chris Pappas as the Umngeni mayoral candidate for the upcoming 2026 local government elections. The announcement, made by DA National Chairperson Solly Msimanga, positions the incumbent mayor to seek a second term in office as the party looks to solidify and expand its political foothold in the province.
The mayoral candidate launch took place before cheering supporters at the Dambuza Sports Grounds in Howick. Umngeni holds significant historical value for the party, as it became the DA’s first municipality in KwaZulu-Natal following the 2021 local government polls—a historic victory secured by a remarkably narrow margin of just 42 votes.
Under Pappas’s leadership over the past five years, the local municipality has reportedly undergone a major transformation. The administration transitioned from being financially troubled to achieving stabilized finances. Pappas has been credited with tackling maladministration and corruption within the local government, a process that included replacing problematic senior managers to ensure better service delivery.
Addressing the crowd, Pappas expressed gratitude for the endorsement, noting that the selection signals the party’s approval of their past work while emphasizing that the job is not yet finished. Although he initially considered stepping aside to nurture future leaders, his caucus urged him to run again, citing their deep trust in his leadership and a desire for him to continue the work.
“Voters will judge us against what we have changed in the municipality,” Pappas told supporters, challenging them to campaign aggressively to convert ANC-held wards into DA-held wards ahead of the November elections.
Msimanga praised Pappas during the event, highlighting the core qualities the party values in its leadership. “We choose leaders that look after the community, build with the community, talk to the community, and respect members of the community,” Msimanga stated, contrasting this approach with politicians who only appear when it suits them.
Looking toward the November polls, Pappas emphasized that the upcoming policy agenda belongs to the residents. “It is not my municipality. It is the people’s municipality,” he noted. The party plans to spend the next month gathering community mandates to understand the residents’ priorities for the next five years before officially revealing their election manifesto in September.