The 2019 Western Cape provincial election was held on 8 May 2019 to elect the 6th Western Cape Provincial Parliament. It was the sixth provincial election held since the establishment of the provincial legislature in 1994.
Incumbent premier Helen Zille of the Democratic Alliance (DA) was term-limited and could not seek a third term. The party nominated Alan Winde to succeed her.Alan Winde announced as DA premier candidate in Western Cape , News24, 19 September 2019. Retrieved on 18 March 2019.Breaking: Alan Winde revealed as the DA’s choice for Western Cape premier, The South Africa, 19 September 2018. Retrieved on 18 March 2019.
The provincial election was won by the ruling Democratic Alliance (DA), but with a reduced majority of 55.45%, down from 59.38% in the 2014 election. The party lost two seats and achieved a majority of 24 seats in the legislature. The Official Opposition African National Congress (ANC) declined from 32.89% to 28.64%, and also lost two seats. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) significantly grew, going from 2.11% to 4.04%, and, consequently, gained one seat. The newly-formed Good received 3.11% of the vote and won a seat. The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) grew to 2.66% and retained its sole seat. The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and Al Jama-ah also won one seat each.
Background The 2014 provincial election resulted in the continuation of the incumbent Democratic Alliance provincial government headed by Helen Zille. This would be Zille's second and final term as Premier of the Western Cape. The party increased its seat total from 22 to 26 seats. The African National Congress with Marius Fransman remained the Official Opposition with 14 seats. The newly-formed Economic Freedom Fighters became the third largest party with only one seat. The African Christian Democratic Party retained its sole seat.Helen Zille re-elected Western Cape premier. Retrieved on 18 March 2019.Zille re-elected at WCape premier. Retrieved on 18 March 2019.
On 18 April 2015, incumbent Democratic Alliance Provincial Leader Ivan Meyer announced that he would not seek re-election. Mayor of Cape Town Patricia de Lille was elected as his successor.Herman, Paul.De Lille named DA Western Cape leader, News24, 18 April 2015. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.De Lille elected DA provincial leader, eNCA, 18 April 2015. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.De Lille crowned new Western Cape DA leader, Mail & Guardian, 18 April 2015. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.
In January 2016, allegations of sexual harassment were made against African National Congress Provincial Chairperson Marius Fransman by his former assistant, Louisa Wynand. The party named Khaya Magaxa as his acting successor. Fransman was suspended as Provincial Chairperson in February 2016, and expelled from the African National Congress in November 2016.Khaya Magaxa replaces Fransman in Western Cape legislature, News24, 16 February 2016. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.ANC suspends Marius Fransman for 5 years, News24. Retrieved on 24-12-2018.
In February 2017, Patricia de Lille resigned as Provincial Leader of the Democratic Alliance in order to focus on her mayorship. Deputy Provincial Leader Bonginkosi Madikizela was designated as the interim leader of the party. Madikizela was later elected to a full term in October 2017.Patricia de Lille resigns as Western Cape provincial leader, BusinessTECH. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.Bonginkosi Madikizela is the new Western Cape DA leader . Retrieved on 24-12-2018.De Lille resigns as DA provincial leader, IOL, 29 January 2017. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.Patricia de Lille resigns as DA Western Cape leader, TimesLIVE, 30 January 2017. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.
Throughout 2017 and 2018, the Democratic Alliance accused Patricia de Lille of maladministration and covering up corruption in the City of Cape Town. She strongly denied these allegations.Felix, Jason. Three senior Cape Town city managers accused of corruption. IOL, 22 November 2017. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.UNPACKED: The 8 main accusations against De Lille , News24, 15 January 2018. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.Corruption and confusion: DA stands firm on criminal probe into Patricia de Lille and co , News24, 25 October 2017. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.
In April 2018, former Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool was announced as the head of the ANC's Western Cape elections campaign.Rasool returns. Retrieved on 24-12-2018.
In August 2018, Patricia de Lille announced that she would resign as Mayor of Cape Town, effective on 31 October 2018.OVERVIEW: De Lille resigns, DA withdraws internal charges against her. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.DA officially confirms De Lille resignation, Mail & Guardian. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.
In September 2018, The Democratic Alliance selected Alan Winde as the party's Western Cape Premier candidate.DA picks Alan Winde as Western Cape Premier candidate. Retrieved on 24-12-2018.
In October 2018, Patricia de Lille resigned as both Mayor of Cape Town and member of the Democratic Alliance. She was succeeded by her predecessor, Dan Plato. She subsequently founded a new political party named Good in December 2018. The party contested the 2019 elections both nationally and provincially.De Lille resigns as Cape Town mayor, quits DA . Retrieved on 24-12-2018.Patricia de Lille announces name of new party . Retrieved on 24-12-2018.
On 6 November 2018, former Provincial Minister of Community Safety Dan Plato was elected Mayor of Cape Town on 6 November 2018 during a special council sitting, receiving 146 out of 202 valid votes. Six ballots were spoilt. The vote was held via secret ballot. His main challengers were Xolani Sotashe from the African National Congress and Grant Haskin from the African Christian Democratic Party. Sotashe received 53 votes while Haskin got 3 votes.Evans, Jenni. Dan Plato elected as Cape Town mayor , News24. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.
On 22 January 2019, the Freedom Front Plus announced that it had selected former premier of the Western Cape and mayor of Cape Town, Peter Marais, as its party premier candidate.Peter Marais announces his political comeback and Twitter was a riot, TimesLIVE, 23 January 2019. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.Gerber, Jan.Peter Marais says he is back to fight for Afrikaans, self-determination and for Christian values, News24, 22 January 2019. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.
Contesting parties and premier candidates This is a list of political parties that the IEC presented on 20 March 2019 in the order that they appeared on the provincial ballot:Electoral Commission on parties which will contest national and provincial elections 2019. Retrieved on 27 April 2019.
Democratic Alliance On 1 July 2018, the Democratic Alliance announced its list of candidates nominated for the position of premier.DA hopefuls eye Western Cape top job. Retrieved on 24-12-2018 These candidates included: Fazloodien Abrahams, an attorney from Mitchells Plain Bonginkosi Madikizela, Democratic Alliance Provincial Leader, Provincial Minister of Human Settlements, Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and former Provincial Minister of Housing David Maynier, Shadow Minister of Finance and Member of the National Assembly Kelly Baloyi, a student with a degree in political science Jacobus MacFarlane, an LL.B. law student, politician, businessman and human rights activist Alan Winde, Provincial Minister of Economic Opportunities, Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and former Provincial Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Micheal Mack
On 19 September 2018, Democratic Alliance National Leader Mmusi Maimane announced Alan Winde as the party's premier candidate.Gerber, Jan.Alan Winde announced as DA premier candidate in Western Cape , News24, 19 September 2018. Retrieved on 25 April 2019.
African National Congress By January 2019, the provincial African National Congress had not announced its premier candidate or the list of candidates running to replace acting chairperson Khaya Magaxa. Here are a few candidates that were speculated to be contenders for both the positions of Provincial Chairperson and premier candidate: Ebrahim Rasool, Western Cape ANC Head of Elections, former South African Ambassador to the United States and former Premier of the Western Cape Cameron Dugmore, Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, former Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport and former Provincial Minister of Education Bongani Mkongi, Deputy Minister of Police and Member of the National Assembly of South AfricaNo Western Cape ANC leader Pat Lekker, Member of the Western Cape Provincial ParliamentRace is on to pick Western Cape ANC premier candidate. Retrieved on 19 March 2019.
On 18 March 2019, the party's leadership announced that its provincial elective conference would be held after the 2019 elections. Provincial-Secretary Faiez Jacobs and acting Provincial Chairperson Khaya Magaxa both declared that they would not contest the elective conference.WC ANC to hold elective conference after May elections. Retrieved on 19 March 2019.
On 25 April 2019, ANC Provincial Elections Head Ebrahim Rasool announced that the party would not field a premier candidate over concerns that it would divide the provincial party.ANC Western Cape won't announce premier candidate before 8 May, Eyewitness News, 25 April 2019. Retrieved on 26 April 2019.
Soon after the provincial election, the African National Congress announced Cameron Dugmore as the Leader of the Opposition in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and subsequent premier candidate. Dugmore lost to Alan Winde of the Democratic Alliance on 22 May 2019.Western Cape ANC welcomes Cameron Dugmore appointment as leader of official opposition in legislature. Retrieved on 1 July 2019.CAMERON DUGMORE APPOINTED AS OPPOSITION LEADER. Retrieved on 1 July 2019.
Economic Freedom Fighters The Economic Freedom Fighters Leader Julius Malema announced on 2 February 2019 that the party would not field any premier candidates. City of Cape Town councillor Melikhaya Xego is the party's provincial chairperson. He was also first on the party's provincial parliament list.No premier candidates for EFF - Malema
African Christian Democratic Party Ferlon Christians, Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and 2014 ACDP Western Cape Premier candidate In February 2019, the party selected Christians as its premier candidate.ACDP launches election manifesto, promises Godly government. Retrieved on 17 February 2019.
Freedom Front Plus Peter Marais, former mayor of Cape Town and former premier of the Western Cape On 22 January 2019, the party announced that it had nominated Marais as its premier candidate.Peter Marais re-enters political ring as WC premier candidate for FF Plus. Retrieved on 3 February 2019.
Good Patricia de Lille, Leader of Good, former Mayor of Cape Town, former Provincial Leader of the Western Cape Democratic Alliance and former Leader of the Independent Democrats
On 10 February 2019, the party announced that it had nominated De Lille as its Western Cape Premier candidate.De Lille nominated as Good’s premier candidate for Western Cape. Retrieved on 10 February 2019.De Lille revealed as Western Cape premier candidate for GOOD, IOL, Cape Town, 10 February 2019.
Land Party Loyiso Nkohla, former African National Congress City of Cape Town councillor
On 26 February 2019, the Land Party selected Nkohla as the party's premier candidate.#Elections2019: Land Party names Cape candidate, IOL, Cape Town, 26 February 2019. Retrieved on 28 April 2019.
Opinion polling Polling OrganisationFieldwork DateSample SizeDA ANCEFFOthersDon't KnowLead2019 General Election Results8 May 2019 N/A55.528.61.914 N/A26.9IRR12 Feb 2019—26 Feb 2019N/A50.133.91.010.84.216.2AfrobarometerAug—Sep 2018N/A312335398Ipsos 20 Apr—7 Jun 2018N/A282632412Ipsos May 201743047203228272014 General Election Results7 May 2014 N/A59.432.92.15.6 N/A26.5
Results