The Democratic Alliance (DA) claims it has made a historic breakthrough in South Africa's 2026 local government elections, projecting that more than one million black South Africans voted for the party.

According to News24, the DA also projects that it has overtaken the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in support among black voters.

The claims come as election results continue to emerge following voting on 4 November.

DA Claims Record Support From Black Voters

As reported by News24, DA Federal Council Chairperson Ashor Sarupen presented the party's early election projections on Thursday, 5 November, at the Electoral Commission of South Africa's (IEC) National Results Operations Centre.

The DA's internal modelling reportedly suggests that more than one million black South Africans voted for the party.

News24 reported that the DA also expects to have received more votes from black South Africans than the EFF.

If confirmed, the figures would represent a significant milestone for the party, which has historically faced challenges expanding its support among black communities.

However, these figures remain projections rather than officially confirmed election results.

DA Sees Shift in South African Politics

News24 reported that Sarupen presented the projected figures as evidence of the DA's growing appeal across racial communities.

The party believes the results could challenge long-standing assumptions about voting patterns in South Africa.

The DA has consistently pushed to expand its support beyond its traditional voter base, positioning itself as a party focused on governance and service delivery.

The projected increase in black voter support could strengthen that position, particularly as the party seeks to compete more widely across the country.

However, the projections alone cannot establish exactly why voters may have changed their political preferences.

Final Election Results Still Outstanding

News24 highlighted the DA's projected breakthrough as the country awaited further election results.

While the party expects to surpass the EFF among black voters, its claims have not yet been established by final certified results.

The figures are based on the DA's own election modelling, making it important to distinguish the party's expectations from official election outcomes.

The final results will provide a clearer picture of the DA's performance and whether its projected gains over the EFF materialise.

For now, the announcement marks a potentially significant moment for the DA, but the scale of its claimed breakthrough still requires confirmation.