Fresh from the DA’s strong showing in the Western Cape in the November 4 local government elections, provincial leader Tertuis Simmers is seeking another term after receiving nominations from all three regions.
Simmers raised his hand amid some party members wanting City of Cape Town safety and security mayoral committee member JP Smith to be re-elected as the DA Cape Metro chairperson.
This comes as the DA is scheduled to hold the Western Cape provincial congress on November 28 and the Cape Town Metro a week earlier on November 21.
Simmers took to social media on Tuesday to announce his availability to stand for re-election.
“As your DA Western Cape provincial Leader, I am humbled and honoured to have received and accepted nominations from all three regions — West, Cape Metro and East — for re-election on 28 November 2026,” he wrote on Facebook.
Simmers, who is the MEC for Infrastructure, thanked those who nominated him for the confidence and trust placed in his leadership.
“Together, our achievements across the province demonstrate what unity, discipline and determination can accomplish,” he said.
DA’s Western Cape election performance
The DA is the leading party in the province, having won 53.95% of the votes and 418 seats in all the municipalities.
While the party is leading in 21 municipalities, it is in control of only nine councils.
A total of 16 councils are hung and are set for coalition among parties.
Buoyed by the party’s achievement, Simmers said during the elections they took their offer to voters across the province.
“Together, we earned their trust and built a strong foundation to take the Western Cape forward, for all, into 2029 and beyond.
“I have walked this road alongside you. Today, I ask you, my fellow activists, to continue walking alongside me,” he added.
Simmers has been at the helm of the DA in the Western Cape since May 2022 after he was named as the only candidate nominated for interim provincial leader following the suspension of then provincial leader Bonginkosi Madikizela.
In November 2023, he was elected as DA provincial leader after fending off a contest from Madikizela. Prior to that, he had been elected as the interim deputy provincial leader in August 2021.
JP Smith backed for another term
Meanwhile, some DA members have thrown their weight behind Smith to be re-elected as the Metro’s regional chairperson.
Smith was earlier this year elected as the DA’s federal council first deputy chairperson.
City of Cape Town urban mobility mayoral committee member Rob Quintas is among those that have thrown their weight behind Smith.
Quintas said it has been a privilege to serve on the Cape Metro regional executive with Smith over three leadership terms.
DA confirms congress dates
“On the high of a successful 2026 Local Government Elections with JP as chair of the Metro and campaign manager, his leadership, values and experience must be renewed as we begin the next journey to the 2029 general elections where the Cape Town Metro can play its part in keeping the Western Cape DA and having our people in the Union Buildings come 2029,” he said.
DA Western Cape spokesperson Matthew Sims confirmed that the election of the new provincial leadership will take place on November 28.
He said all the regions have held their congress except Metro, which will convene on November 21.
“Those are the only two congresses that are outstanding,” Sims said.
Mayibongwe Maqhina
iol.co.za