By Johnathan Paoli
Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille has reportedly been considering a return to frontline politics by running for Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg in the 2026 local government elections.
Zille told journalists she had been approached by colleagues to run for the mayoralty of South Africa’s largest city, but has not yet made a decision.
“I have been approached to put my hat in the ring for mayor. I am still considering it and consulting my family,” she said, adding that she would be required to undergo the same internal selection process as any other DA aspirant.
The potential candidacy has ignited intense political debate, drawing both praise for her leadership track record and fierce criticism over the DA’s racial politics.
Zille, who previously served as Cape Town mayor (2006–2009) and Western Cape Premier (2009–2019), is widely regarded as one of the DA’s most seasoned politicians.
Her tenure as mayor won her international acclaim, including the 2008 World Mayor Prize, which recognised her for excellence in city governance.
With Johannesburg facing an unprecedented decline marked by failing infrastructure, water and electricity shortages, rampant corruption, and service delivery breakdowns, some DA members believe Zille’s proven leadership could help reverse the city’s fortunes.
The City of Johannesburg is grappling with multiple crises.
Prolonged water outages since 2024, malfunctioning traffic lights, pothole-laden roads, hijacked buildings, and a surge in crime have left residents frustrated and businesses disillusioned.
In late 2023, former DA mayor Mpho Phalatse resigned following coalition instability and a successful motion of no confidence.
Since then, ANC-aligned Mayor Dada Morero has attempted to address service delivery failures by appointing a 12-member “bomb squad” team, led by ANC veteran Snuki Zikalala, to provide oversight and crisis response.
However, critics argue that such interventions are superficial, with Zille stating that Johannesburg’s collapse is “deeply structural” and the result of decades of corruption and cadre deployment.
“It will take a backbone of steel to turn Johannesburg around,” she warned.
Zille’s potential candidacy has been met with mixed reactions.
Supporters, including former Wits University Vice Chancellor Adam Habib, see her as the city’s “best hope.”
“If she can do what she did for Cape Town, Johannesburg and South Africa would be the better for it. Please don’t respond with racialised political rhetoric. Johannesburg needs water, power, roads, and frankly, governance,” Habib said on social media.
However, ActionSA leader and former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba lambasted the DA’s move, calling it “an insult to black leadership.”
“They clearly don’t believe a black leader is capable of leading Johannesburg. This shows they have no confidence in black excellence. If Zille becomes mayor, the people of Soweto and Alexandra can forget about services,” Mashaba said.
Mashaba added that the DA’s previous attempts at governing Johannesburg through coalitions had failed and predicted Zille would struggle to form a majority.
“She won’t get the numbers or the support of black communities,” he said.
The ANC’s Johannesburg regional secretary Sasabona Manganye also pushed back, blaming the DA for the city’s fiscal decline during their brief stints in power.
“Joburg has been messed up since the DA took over in 2016. We are now fixing the mess, and we are confident about retaining the mayoral seat in 2026,” Manganye said.
Currently, the DA holds 26% of the vote in Johannesburg, behind the ANC’s 34%, with ActionSA at 16%.
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