By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) unveiled Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg in the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE).
The announcement was made at a lively event in Eyethu Shopping Centre, Soweto on Saturday.
“What we have today is not governance. It is decay. And it cannot continue,” said DA leader, John Steenhuisen.
“The next local government election is not DA vs ANC. It is a choice between decay and renewal. Where the DA governs outright, we deliver.”
Steenhuisen said the DA has a proven track record of good governance, and pulled quotes from President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this week, where he told ANC councillors to follow the DA’s example.
“We fix leaks faster, we collect the rubbish, and we invest in electricity and we keep the water flowing through taps,” the party leader said.
“What Johannesburg needs now is: honest, experienced, accountable leadership.”
The city’s infrastructure is collapsing due to years of neglect and failure to maintain critical networks like water and electricity.
One of the biggest issues in governance is that there is no outright majority for any party in the city, which has forced it to operate under incredibly shaky coalitions, which are susceptible to collapse.
The DA took control of the city in 2021, under Mpho Palatse, who was elected with the support of smaller parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters, the Freedom Front Plus, and ActionSA.
Zille said she was honoured to be nominated by her party for the position.
“It is a privilege for me to accept the nomination as your mayoral candidate for this great city. I acknowledge with respect all the other candidates who gave me stiff competition for this honour,” she said.
She added that her task would be to stop the rot in the city and turn the ship around, then hand it over to her successor to move forward with what she had started.
Zille is one of South Africa’ best-known politicians. She was the DA leader from 2007 to 2015 and served as Western Cape Premier for two five-year terms.
Watch live in the video below:
Video Courtesy of DA.