ActionSA CPT Mayor Candidate Dereleen James: Geordin Hill-Lewis, DA, tariffs, crime, poverty, drugs

Action SA's Cape Town mayoral candidate Dereleen James joins us on SMWX for a wide-ranging interview ahead of the 2026 local government elections. James challenges the DA's record of governance under Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, questioning whether Cape Town's reputation as a well-run city reflects the lived realities of residents in poorer communities. She outlines her plans to tackle gang violence, drug abuse and crime on the Cape Flats, while addressing the city's deep inequalities, housing crisis, rising municipal tariffs and cost of living. The conversation also explores Action SA's electoral prospects, possible coalitions with the DA, illegal immigration, affordable housing and her proposal to introduce a tourist levy to help fund public services. James reflects on her personal experiences with violence and community activism, arguing that Cape Town needs a different approach to governance that prioritises dignity, affordability and the communities she believes have been left behind.