The Democratic Alliance promised an end to political appointments in public administration as the second-largest party in South Africa’s ruling coalition aims to capture the country’s economic heartland in upcoming local government elections. The polls represent the first major electoral test for Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who became DA leader in April, as he seeks to translate his local success into nationwide momentum. Separate research by Ipsos indicates that only 38% of South Africans consider their local municipal performance adequate. ADThe DA pledged an immediate ban on so-called cadre deployment — the ANC’s long-standing policy of appointing party loyalists to key positions within state institutions and municipal administrations. The DA also pledged to ensure that revenue collected from water and electricity tariffs would be used to finance the maintenance and capital expenditure of municipal grid infrastructure, water pipes, and substations.