HUMANSDORP – On 28 March at Kruisfontein Civic Centre in Humansdorp, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape named Hattingh Bornman as its mayoral candidate for the Kouga Local Municipality for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Andrew Whitfield, DA provincial leader, said that Bornman was first elected as a councillor in 2016 and served as the Speaker of Council from 2018 to 2022.

In January 2023 he was announced as Deputy Mayor and in June of the same year he was elected as Mayor.

Whitfield said that in November last year Kouga celebrated its second consecutive clean audit opinion.

He said that it was also recognised as the best performing municipality in the Eastern Cape, at the 2025 Municipal Performance Awards for excellence in financial management, stability and service delivery.

Whitfield said that the municipality has invested in roads, infrastructure and services and was able to secure a R200 million loan to upgrade 70% of the municipal road network.

“Kouga has now become the Eastern Cape’s most attractive municipality to live, work, and invest in,” said Whitfield.

He further said that under the steady leadership of Bornman and the DA-led government, Kouga has emerged as a model municipality that is committed to reliable service delivery, improved public safety, and job creation.

Whitfield believes that Kouga truly is a municipality that puts the well-being of residents first.

“Hattingh has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead and his commitment to the people of Kouga and he has our full confidence,” said Whitfield.

In a Facebook post, Bornman said that he is honoured to have been elected as the DA Mayoral Candidate for Kouga Municipality in the upcoming Local Government Elections.

“I call on all residents to unite behind the progress we have made,” said Bornman.

“Let us stand together to protect and build on what we have achieved.”

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