Political parties in Johannesburg have criticised the Democratic Alliance (DA) for nominating Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate, saying the move reflects disregard for democratic values, transformation, and equity.
The DA officially announced Zille’s candidacy on Saturday during an event in Mofolo, Soweto. Party leader John Steenhuisen said the appointment of the 74-year-old veteran politician would help restore service delivery in Johannesburg, where residents have long grappled with water shortages, sewage spills, power cuts, and deteriorating infrastructure.
Helen Zille, a former Cape Town mayor and current DA federal council chair, is set to challenge the ANC’s incumbent mayor, Dada Morero, in what promises to be a heated race for control of South Africa’s economic hub. Known for her outspoken and often polarising views, particularly on colonialism, race, and gender identity Zille has faced repeated backlash and disciplinary processes within her party.
The ANC said the DA’s decision underscores its commitment to a narrow, exclusionary agenda that fails Johannesburg’s diverse communities.
“This is also a clear indication that the DA lacks internal growth and leadership renewal,” said ANC Johannesburg spokesperson Masilo Serekele. He added that Zille’s record is “one of division, not transformation.”
Serekele noted that while a coalition between the ANC and DA cannot be ruled out—given the precedent of the 2024 Government of National Unity formed after the ANC’s national vote share fell below 50%—any political cooperation must rest on “mutual respect, democratic values, and a shared vision for transformation and equity.”
Other parties also voiced disapproval. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba described the nomination as “a sad moment for South Africa,” arguing that Zille does not value black leadership. He accused the DA of undermining transformation while also blaming the ANC for enabling the conditions that allow such moves.
“Thirty-one years into democracy, we are made to believe that we are incapable, corrupt, and cannot be trusted,” Mashaba said.
Patriotic Alliance (PA) spokesperson Steve Motale rejected the DA’s claim to good governance in Cape Town, pointing to persistent poverty in Khayelitsha and Gugulethu. “The DA is there to serve the elite, not everybody,” he said.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which previously joined the multi-party charter ahead of the 2024 national elections, confirmed it will contest next year’s local polls under its own banner.
Zille, however, appeared undeterred. She told supporters she is ready to campaign door-to-door across the city.
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said Zille remains the DA’s strongest contender.
“The DA is putting its best foot forward, and Zille represents that within the party,” he said. “Politics is about power, influence, and control of resources in the name of constituencies. The DA has been clear that its mission is to bring the ANC to its knees.”
Johannesburg’s political landscape remains volatile. No single party has secured an outright majority in recent years, leading to unstable coalitions. A DA-led coalition collapsed in 2022, while the current ANC-led coalition is also fragile. The looming local elections promise to be another high-stakes battle for South Africa’s largest city.
