DEMOCRACY NEWSLETTER: Helen Zille and MK Party might be Election 2026 big winners (opens original article in a new tab)

Helen Zille and MK Party are potential major winners in South Africa's 2026 elections, with Zille adopting a new image and MK showing strong support in KwaZulu-Natal.

• Helen Zille is campaigning for Johannesburg mayor with a new persona to appeal to the city's progressive voters.
• MK Party may become the largest party in eThekwini and other KZN towns despite internal instability.
• DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis is reshuffling executive members ahead of 2026 elections.