MIDVAAL – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Midvaal has officially announced its 15 ward candidates who will contest the 2026 Local Government Elections, with the party aiming to strengthen its majority and continue its record of governance in the municipality.
The announcement, dated 22 August 2026, marks the culmination of an extensive candidate selection process that spanned more than two years. According to the Midvaal DA campaign, prospective candidates went through an application process, CV assessments, election training, online modules and a rigorous examination, followed by selection panel interviews and performance evaluations.
From close to 100 applicants, 15 candidates were ultimately selected to contest wards across Midvaal, stretching from Walkerville in the west to Vaal Marina in the east.
Six incumbents, nine new candidates
Of the 15 candidates announced, six are incumbent ward councillors, while nine will be contesting for the first time. The DA says the mix of experienced councillors and new candidates is aimed at strengthening its representation across the municipality.
The candidates are:
- Ward 1: Pieter Swart
- Ward 2: Salome Janse van Rensburg
- Ward 3: Martin Kruger
- Ward 4: Madélein Labuschagne
- Ward 5: Pat Hutcheson
- Ward 6: Thapelo Makate
- Ward 7: Chantal Gomes
- Ward 8: Thetheweni Dhlomo
- Ward 9: Danelle Dreyer
- Ward 10: Paulina Makafula
- Ward 11: Anna Sitona
- Ward 12: Suzette van der Westhuizen
- Ward 13: Gerrit Viljoen
- Ward 14: Phil Pretorius
- Ward 15: Jane Erasmus
DA targets stronger majority in Midvaal
The DA currently holds 12 of Midvaal’s 15 ward councillor positions. The party says it hopes to increase that number by winning the remaining three wards in the upcoming election on 4 November 2026.
In addition to its 12 ward councillors, the DA currently has seven proportional representation councillors, giving the party a total of 19 councillors in the 2021–2026 council term and a majority of seats in Midvaal. The party expects its representation to grow following the 2026 election.
The DA has governed Midvaal as the majority party for 26 years and says it intends to continue what it describes as a record of good and clean governance, with the goal of maintaining Midvaal’s position as one of Gauteng’s best-performing municipalities.
With the election campaign now gaining momentum, the 15 ward candidates will be tasked with taking the DA’s campaign message directly into communities across Midvaal and engaging residents ahead of the November poll.
The 2026 Local Government Elections are scheduled for 4 November 2026.
