By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Federal Council Chairperson, Helen Zille, has confirmed that she has been approached to become the party’s mayoral candidate in Johannesburg.
This is as the political parties are gearing up for the 2026 local government elections.
Zille said, she is considering it, she wants to discuss the matter with her family, which lives in Cape Town.
The DA is the second-largest political party in the municipality, with 26% of the vote, behind the African National Congress (ANC), which received 34%. ActionSA is third with 16%.
Johannesburg is the wealthiest city in South Africa and the country’s economic hub. Its collapse is disastrous for the local economy.
Over the last few years, Johannesburg’s water infrastructure and management collapsed, causing persistent and crippling water shortages.
The city has a significant infrastructure backlog, which will cost billions to address. It does not have the money to resolve this issue.
It must upgrade or replace water and sanitation pipes to compensate for the city’s growing population and ageing infrastructure. Johannesburg also battles with water infrastructure vandalism, caused by a lack of adequate security and protection.
A Rand Water report revealed that 47% of all treated water is lost due to leaks, poor maintenance, and neglected infrastructure.
She admitted that transforming the city would be a significant challenge if she decides to run and succeeds in becoming the metropolitan municipality’s first citizen.
Zille was the DA leader from 2007 to 2015 and served as Western Cape Premier for two five-year terms.
She also served as Mayor of Cape Town from 2006 to 2009, after the DA became the single largest party in Cape Town with 42.0% of the vote. Zille was elected mayor by 106 votes to 103 on 15 March 2006, after the DA obtained the support of several smaller parties.