Helen Zille's mayoral nomination sparks political backlash in Johannesburg

Political parties in Johannesburg have criticised the DA's nomination of Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate, saying this demonstrated a disregard for democratic values, transformation and equity. 

The DA on Saturday, during an event that took place in Mofolo in Soweto, officially announced the party’s stalwart as its mayoral candidate ahead of the local elections next year. 

The announcement was made by DA leader John Steenhuisen, who said the appointment would restore service delivery.

Residents in Johannesburg have been struggling with a shortage of water, sewage spills, power cuts and crumbling infrastructure.

The 74-year-old seasoned politician with a long history in South Africa governance, is set to challenge the current ANC mayor, Dada Morero, in what promises to be a heated contest for control of the country’s largest city.

The former Cape Town mayor, who currently serves as the DA’s federal council chair, is known for her outspoken and polarising statements, particularly on social media. Some of her most contentious comments have centered on colonialism, race and gender identity, often leading to public backlash and internal party discipline.

However, the ANC said the appointment of Zille confirmed the DA’s continued commitment to a narrow, exclusionary agenda that does not serve the interests of Johannesburg’s diverse communities.

The party's regional spokesperson in Johannesburg, Masilo Serekele, said this is also a clear indication that the DA lacks internal growth and leadership renewal. 

A coalition between the DA and the ANC is also considered a possibility due to the precedent of the Government of National Unity (GNU) formed in 2024. This was after the ANC's national electoral support dipped below 50% in the 2024 elections - this is projected by some analysts to fall further in the 2026 local elections. 

Asked if the ANC will consider working with the DA should the parties fail to get a majority at next year's elections, Serekele said any form of political cooperation must be based on mutual respect, democratic values, and a shared vision for transformation and equity.

He said the DA, under Zille’s leadership, consistently demonstrated a disregard for these principles.

Serekele added that Zille’s record is one of division, not transformation.

“The ANC remains committed to building inclusive and cooperative governance structures where they are in the best interests of the people. However, any form of political cooperation must be based on mutual respect, democratic values, and a shared vision for transformation and equity.”

"The ANC will continue to work with progressive forces that are committed to reversing the legacy of inequality and building a better city for all who live in it,” he said. 

For several years, Johannesburg has been governed by unstable coalitions due to no single party holding an outright majority. A DA-led coalition collapsed in 2022, while the current ANC-led coalition is also fragile. 

Action SA became a key partner in the 2021 coalition, while Patriotic Alliance (PA) also played a significant “kingmaker” role due to close margins between the major parties. 

However, the PA’s departure from the multi-party coalition in 2022, caused it to collapse.

Action SA leader Herman Mashaba described Zille's nomination as a sad moment for South Africa as 'Zille does not believe and value black leadership'.

Mashaba added that the party also demonstrated that it does not believe in black leadership. 

“And one thing for sure as Action SA, me as Herman Mashaba, I detest anyone who says my medication is white. The medicine of Mashaba is Mashaba.  

"This is a sad moment for South Africa. 31 years in democracy but we are made to believe that we are incapable, corrupt and cannot be trusted,” said Mashaba, who added that the ANC should take the blame for this.

PA spokesperson Steve Motale said the DA cannot claim Zille’s good record in Cape Town, while residents of Khayelitsha and Gugulethu are still living in poverty. 

“The DA is there to serve the elite, not everybody. That record does not reveal anything,” he said.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) said although it was part of the multi-party charter ahead of the 2024 national elections, it will contest the local elections under its own banner.

Meanwhile, Zille said she is ready to start knocking on doors and campaigning. 

Political analyst, Professor Sipho Seepe, said other than the complaints coming from black communities in the Western Cape, Zille stands above any contender in the DA. Seepe added that the DA is trying to put its best foot forward and Zille represents that in the DA. 

“Politics is about power, influence and control of resources purportedly in the interests of society or constituencies. The DA has been abundantly clear about that. This includes bringing the ANC to its knees,” he said.