Can Haniff Hoosen Win eThekwini? Doubts Rise Within the DA as Election Battle Heats Up

The Democratic Alliance has officially unveiled Haniff Hoosen as its mayoral candidate for eThekwini, but instead of a unified celebration, the announcement has sparked a wave of scepticism not from political opponents, but from within the party’s own ranks.

Hoosen, a seasoned parliamentarian and long-time DA operative, is being positioned as the man to unseat the ANC in one of South Africa’s most politically complex metros. Yet many of his own colleagues are asking a blunt question:

Can someone this low-profile actually win Durban?

Even DA Insiders Are Unsure

Speaking anonymously to The Mercury, some DA members were candid:

“There are too many unknown and unsellable people in the party,” one said, suggesting that Hoosen’s selection reflects a leadership vacuum in KZN rather than deliberate strategy.

Another hinted that Hoosen may simply be a placeholder for coalition bargaining, not a serious power contender:

“Last time, we didn’t have a candidate when the council was hung. This time, we’re just making sure there’s someone on the board.”

Who Is Haniff Hoosen?

Despite the internal doubts, Hoosen isn’t new to the battlefield. He previously ran as the DA’s mayoral candidate for eThekwini in 2016, and spent a decade in Parliament, holding roles such as:

• Shadow Minister of Home Affairs (2014–2019)

• Shadow Minister of Cooperative Governance (2019–2020)

• DA Spokesperson on the Standing Committee on the Auditor-General (2020–2024)

He freely admits he’s not a household name, especially among first-time voters:

“I may be unknown, but young people don’t care about political brands. They care about service delivery.”

Cultural Politics vs Urban Promises

But critics argue that good governance credentials may not be enough in KwaZulu-Natal, where identity politics often supersede policy.

Political analyst Professor Musa Xulu warns that Hoosen may face a cultural disconnect:

“KZN is driven by cultural and linguistic identity. If a candidate isn’t seen as part of the majority community, it becomes difficult to gain traction regardless of competence.”

The DA’s challenges in KZN have long centred on isiZulu language fluency, cultural alignment, and a perception that the party’s policies still lean toward white interests.

Coalition Whispering and Political Theatre

Patrick Pillay from the Democratic Liberal Congress (DLC) was even more blunt:

“This is just grandstanding. The DA is already married to the ANC these mayoral announcements are just for show.”

That comment taps into an emerging suspicion among voters: Are opposition parties campaigning against each other or rehearsing for coalition talks?

Can Hoosen Convince Durban?

Hoosen insists his mission is straightforward:

✅ Stop corruption
✅ Redirect funds to real service delivery
✅ Replicate the ‘Umngeni model’ , the DA’s success in Howick under Chris Pappas

The plan is sound, but the political climate is volatile.

The question is not whether Haniff Hoosen is competent, but whether he is electable, in this city, in this moment.

Durban voters are watching. The DA is divided. The ANC is wounded, but far from out.

And in the middle of it all stands Haniff Hoosen, a familiar name in Parliament, but a stranger to many on the street.

{Source: IOL}

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