By Akani Nkuna
Rise Mzansi has announced political commentator and analyst Lukhona Mnguni as its mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The announcement was made at Victory Yards in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Mnguni said his campaign would focus on tackling crime and restoring public safety in the city.
“We are simply not safe in Joburg. We are terrified to walk the streets even in broad daylight. Driving at night has become a source of danger. Criminals are taking over our lives. The solution is not just more patrolling by day,” he said.
“We need public spaces that are well lit, an environment that is maintained, a social fabric that is rebuilt and a city that works for all communities. We must build bridges, not just for safety but for spatial development, inclusion, solidarity and, most importantly, for a more humane Joburg.”
Mnguni first revealed his mayoral ambitions during an interview with Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh on the SMWX Podcast on Friday.
Addressing supporters at Saturday’s event, Mnguni called for younger leaders to occupy senior executive positions, arguing that young people were capable of addressing South Africa’s persistent challenges.
“We must not use old instruments for this task. Young people are ambitious, futuristic, vocal, artistic, creative and no doubt the foundation for the economies of the future,” he said.
Mnguni also vowed to root out corruption and incompetence within the provincial government, council and city administration.
He said he would remove “amasela” (criminals) in positions of authority who continue “to steal and sometimes are simply incompetent at doing their jobs”.
His announcement drew mixed reactions on social media, with some political figures questioning the impartiality of political analysts who later enter politics.
ANC National Executive Committee member and Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli posted on X: “And then tomorrow we must believe that political analysts/commentators are independent and impartial,” while sharing a clip of Mnguni’s announcement.
“Well, we are very happy that he is out of the closet and can openly be the politician we have always known him to be. Good luck to Rise Mzansi,” she added.
GOOD Party leader Patricia de Lille endorsed Mnguni’s candidacy, saying he embodied the type of leadership needed to improve Johannesburg’s future.
“His leadership of the powerhouse City of Joburg will hand the baton to the next generation of leaders where it rightfully belongs. We must thank him for being willing to step up, step forward and walk his talk,” De Lille said.
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