Democratic Alliance (DA) federal council chairperson Helen Zille has ignited public debate after revealing she is considering running for mayor of Johannesburg in the 2026 local government elections.
Zille, a former mayor of Cape Town and premier of the Western Cape, has reportedly been approached to represent the DA in Johannesburg. While she has yet to confirm her candidacy, the prospect has sparked widespread reaction on social media.
Supporters argue her governance experience makes her a capable candidate. Communications strategist Khaya Dlanga wrote on X that Zille “has a proven record of turning a city around,” referencing her tenure in Cape Town. “Joburg is crying out for that kind of leadership,” he said, citing persistent issues like malfunctioning traffic lights and unreliable service delivery.
Another supporter, John Haines, praised Zille on Facebook as a “competent and highly educated woman with moral standards,” adding that such leadership could benefit the country’s broader governance.
Johannesburg has long faced challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, service disruptions, and increasing frustration from residents. Mayor Dada Morero recently introduced a “bomb squad” initiative to address these issues, but public trust remains fragile.
However, Zille’s potential candidacy has not been without criticism. Detractors have questioned the DA’s commitment to black leadership. ActionSA leader and former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba criticised the party, stating: “This nonsense narrative that ‘Sehlare sa mosotho ke lekgowa’ [a black person’s medicine is a white person] must stop.” He suggested Zille should instead focus on under-resourced areas in the Western Cape.
Poet and activist Ntsiki Mazwai also opposed Zille’s possible return to mayoral office, saying it “would be a huge and scary mistake which would impact the black masses negatively.”
As the 2026 local elections approach, Helen Zille’s decision could prove pivotal for the DA’s prospects in Gauteng, with Johannesburg seen as a key battleground in the national political landscape.
