The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday announced its “resounding success” in winning 16 wards in by-elections held across the country, on Wednesday.

The party contested in 17 wards, in KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, North West and Limpopo, with the party’s leader John Steenhuisen saying the results reflected the party’s growth and highlighted the “unwavering trust” that South Africans were placing in the DA’s ability to deliver clean, accountable governance.

In KwaZulu-Natal the DA won all by-elections it contested, including marginal wards.

“Our victories in eThekwini wards 33, 35 and 36, KwaDukuza Ward 6, and Umdoni Ward 15 are a testament to the party’s exceptional growth in the province,” noted Steenhuisen.

In eThekwini Ward 33, the party secured 80.5% of the vote, up from 39% in the 2024 national and provincial elections; Ward 35 saw an increase from 80.6% in the national and provincial elections to 91%; in Ward 36 it secured 92.6%, it dominated in KwaDukuza Ward 6 winning 98.7%, and in Umdoni Ward 15 it achieved 98%.

Steenhuisen said in the North West, residents had put their trust in the DA.

In JB Marks, the party celebrated winning Ward 7 with 93.53%, taking Ward 22 with 58.54%, and - delivering an “exceptional performance” - winning Ward 24 with 99.22%.

In Matlosana, the DA took Ward 39 with a sweeping 93.82%, and in Naledi it won Ward 7 with 78.97% of the vote.

The Free State was another area of success, where the DA retained control of wards 18, 20, 22 and 25 in Mangaung.

Steenhuisen pointed out that in Ward 18 the DA increased support from 65.6% in 2021 to 85.23% in 2024; in Ward 20 it grew from 75.1% to 98.40%; it increased its support from 74.2% to 97.36% in Ward 22, while the DA's support also rose from 79.8% to 97.78% in Ward 25.

In Ward 35 in Matjhabeng, also in the Free State, the DA retained control with a slight increase from 45.8% to 46.02%.

In Limpopo, the DA retained Ward 3 in Lephalale with a majority in a hotly contested race, Steenhuisen noted.

“These victories are a clear signal that the DA is the party of choice for those who seek competent, transparent governance. As we move towards the 2026 local government elections, the DA remains steadfast in its commitment to bringing effective, service-driven governance to every corner of South Africa,” he explained.