The Democratic Alliance (DA) has named Haniff Hoosen as its mayoral candidate for eThekwini, officially launching its bid to take control of the metro in the 2026 local government elections.
The announcement was made before a packed audience at Havenside Community Hall in Chatsworth, where party leaders delivered fiery speeches promising clean governance, accountability, and urgent service delivery for Durban’s long-suffering residents.
DA KwaZulu-Natal leader Dean Macpherson told supporters the party was ready to govern effectively.
“Unlike other parties that complain, the DA took this municipality to court to stop sewage from flooding Durban’s streets. The DA will be the single largest party in this city, and with that mandate, we will govern,” he said.
Provincial leader Francois Rodgers called for unity and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2026 polls.
“Our mayoral candidate cannot do it alone. I cannot do it alone. We need you, our foot soldiers, to convince voters that if they want change, they must vote for it,” he said, adding that Durban’s potential in tourism and industry was being wasted by failing infrastructure.
DA national leader John Steenhuisen echoed the message, urging strong voter turnout while painting a picture of what a DA-led city could look like.
“The DA has shown we can stop the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK). Close your eyes and imagine golden beaches packed with tourists, industries buzzing, and children safe in the streets. That is the Durban we can build together,” he said.
Accepting the nomination, Hoosen reflected emotionally on his upbringing in Chatsworth and the inequalities he had seen.
“It is an enormous privilege to lead this movement that will bring change to the people of this beautiful city. We can build a city where all our children have a future, a home, safety and jobs,” he said.
Drawing from his acceptance speech, Hoosen added that his vision for eThekwini was deeply personal. *“Chatsworth is where I grew up, where I learned that nothing in life comes easy and everything worth achieving must be worked for. I know turning this city around won’t be easy, but it is possible — and together we can do it,”* he said.
He pledged urgent reforms, starting with recovering billions owed to the municipality.
“Within the first few days of taking over, we will begin the process of collecting more than R40 billion in outstanding revenue and redirect it to fix water, sanitation, housing and policing,” Hoosen said.
He also promised a transparent, accountable leadership style. *“If elected as mayor, I will subject myself and my family to a lifestyle audit every single year in office, and that audit will be published for all to see. This is how we roll in the DA — we work for the people we serve, not for ourselves,”* he declared.
Ending with a rallying cry that brought the hall to its feet, Hoosen concluded:
“Change is coming to Durban. We can. We must. And together I promise you we will.”
