BLOEMFONTEIN, Free State — The Democratic Alliance (DA) has officially pledged to revive the Mangaung Metro Municipality, positioning itself as the sole party capable of restoring effective governance ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE 2026). During a campaign stop in the Free State, party leader Geordin Hill-Lewis outlined a comprehensive strategy to rebuild the city’s administration, restore essential service delivery, and bring about clean governance.
Speaking to supporters as part of the party’s “Working For All” tour targeting metropolitan areas, Hill-Lewis emphasized that the hunger for change in the metro is palpable. He highlighted the Democratic Alliance’s unique national footprint, noting that it is the only party that has successfully fielded councillor candidates in all 4,500 wards across the country.
Hill-Lewis urged residents to vote for change, pointing to the recent administrative failures of the ANC, which struggled to properly submit its candidate lists. He noted that this discrepancy makes an entirely new government with a DA majority a realistic possibility. However, he maintained a pragmatic approach, stating that if an outright majority is not achieved, the party is fully prepared to engage in coalitions to bring positive change to the city.
DA Mangaung mayoral candidate Pritorius reinforced the party’s commitment to ending the culture of poor service delivery. Outlining the mayoral vision, Pritorius stated that the people of Mangaung deserve better than a dysfunctional government. He promised that under a DA administration, the city would see fixed municipal finances, reliable tap water, a stable power grid, cleaned-up streets, and repaired roads.
According to Pritorius, mastering these basic service delivery metrics is the key to unlocking broader economic growth. “If we do the basics, we will attract investment and we will see a city that is not in decline,” Pritorius explained, adding that a stabilized city will naturally create jobs and move forward rather than stagnate.
The Democratic Alliance is heavily targeting several strategic municipalities in the Free State for the upcoming elections, with the Mangaung Metro identified as a primary battleground. Hill-Lewis expressed strong confidence in the party’s chances of winning the metro outright, which would allow them to govern without relying on what he described as unstable coalitions. While every municipality is a priority, securing outright victories in these strategic areas remains the core objective.
Party members and supporters on the ground have responded positively to the campaign’s messaging. Attendees at the tour expressed strong appreciation for the party leader’s focus on job creation and reviving the local economy. Supporters echoed the sentiment that Mangaung can function effectively if led by a motivated party dedicated to improving people’s lives.
Concluding the rally, the party leadership reiterated that a DA government will actively attract investment and ensure that governance works for everyone, explicitly including the often-forgotten rural communities in the broader municipal region.