Xolani Khumalo, the former host of the anti-drug show “Sizok’thola,” has been announced as ActionSA’s candidate for mayor of Ekurhuleni in the upcoming local elections.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba introduced Khumalo as a “fearless and ethical leader” who is ready to tackle the city’s challenges. Ekurhuleni, a metropolitan municipality with over 3.5 million residents, has struggled with service delivery failures, corruption, and crime.
Khumalo’s public profile was built on his direct, on-camera confrontations with alleged drug dealers. His transition to politics follows his recent acquittal in a trial concerning the death of a suspect during one of his investigations, a case that drew significant public attention.
The announcement sets the stage for Khumalo to shift from exposing problems on television to potentially solving them in office. The 2026 municipal elections will be the first test of whether his fame can translate into electoral success and effective governance for the troubled metro.