Privi Makhan is the Democratic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for KwaDukuza in the 2026 local government elections.
Image: Democratic Alliance
PRIVI Makhan, a third-generation "child of the soil", was announced as the DA's mayoral candidate for KwaDukuza in the 2026 local government elections.
Following the announcement, Makhan said she was humbled and grateful for the nomination.
“Today is not just a political moment for me. It is deeply personal. I am a third-generation KwaDukuza; a child of this soil. My grandparents and my parents built their lives here, and I grew up here.
“The streets I walk today are the same streets that shaped me. The beaches we promote for tourism are the same beaches where we ran barefoot as children. The sugar cane fields where we see development happening, are the same fields we walked through growing up.
“So, KwaDukuza is not a case study to me, it is my identity and my responsibility. This moment is historic for a number of reasons, but it is not just about me. It is about what it says to every young girl in this municipality: that leadership has no gender, no race, no ceiling,” she said.
Makhan, who served as the DA caucus leader in KwaDukuza, said the time for “lip service” was over.
“Today, we do need to be honest with one another. Our municipality is failing. From KwaDukuza CBD to Groutville, from Shakaskraal to Ballito, from Stanger Manor to Darnall, and from Blythedale to Doringkop, our people are frustrated. They are tired of empty promises. They are tired of electricity that fails businesses and households. They are tired of potholes, rampant unemployment and taps that are running dry. They are tired of corruption being normalised while the residents suffer. The time for lip service is over.”
Makhan added that her leadership would be built on five commitments, which comprised ensuring electricity stability, fixing the finances and protecting residents’ money, providing reliable basic services, ensuring real consequences for corruption, and stable leadership that puts people first.
“KwaDukuza is tired of chaos. We need leadership that is calm and focused about getting things done, not political infighting, not interfering and not playing political musical chairs. The priority is simple, stable, and decisive leadership. Everyone must know their job, and everyone must do their job.
“I do not pretend to have all the answers. That is why, immediately after this campaign launches in full, I will embark on a listening tour of all 30 wards of KwaDukuza. I want to sit with residents, small business owners, amakhosi, ratepayers and the youth. Not staged meetings, but authentic dialogue. Together, we can build a KwaDukuza that works for everyone. I accept this nomination with humility and love for my people. The work begins now,” she said.