DA’s Rasilingwane encouraged by voter turnout in Kempton Park as party eyes Ekurhuleni majority
Voter turnout here has been better than the slower start observed earlier in Tokoza and Katlehong, with a steady flow of residents coming out to vote.
Dimakatso Leshoro
DA candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane casting her vote in Kempton Park. Photo: Dimakatso Leshoro
Dimakatso Leshoro
Voters braved the heat by queuing in the sun to cast their ballots at Oosrand Academy in Kempton Park, where Democratic Alliance (DA) Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane also cast her vote.
Voter turnout here has been better than the slower start observed earlier in Tokoza and Katlehong, with a steady flow of residents coming out to vote.
Rasilingwane said she was encouraged by the turnout, with about 1,300 voters registered at this station, voting has been peaceful and is proceeding smoothly.
However, there are only two party agents from the DA and ActionSA, that she has observed at this particular voting station.
An Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) official she spoke to said the other party agents just didn’t show up, adding they were not compelled to be here.
The DA is hoping to secure an outright majority of 50% plus one in Ekurhuleni.
However, this metro has been characterised by coalition politics since the 2021 election, when no party secured an outright majority.
The DA’s Tania Campbell initially led a multi-party coalition but was removed from office in 2023 following political realignments.
The African National Congress (ANC) later reclaimed the mayoral position and is leading the coalition after Nkosindiphile Xhakaza was elected mayor in April 2024.
Rasilingwane is now hoping voters will give the DA a strong enough mandate to govern the metro without relying on coalition partners.