The Economic Freedom Fighters have dismissed growing speculation that former MP Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is being lined up as the party’s mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg in the upcoming local government elections .
EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini addressed the rumours head-on, insisting that no such talks are currently on the table and that the party will not be pressured by the moves of its rivals .
Strategic Patience
Speaking to SABC News, Dlamini explained the party’s deliberate approach to selecting leadership, emphasising that the EFF refuses to be reactive .
“First, we had to go to a plenary where we sit and have a plan of what becomes the programme of action for the year, and that’s exactly what we did, because what you don’t want is to be reactive and just follow each and every political party, then you’re going to lose focus,” Dlamini said .
He rejected the notion that decisions are made in secret by a select few, noting that the party’s internal processes involve consultation across structures. “We don’t announce candidates from some backroom,” he said .
Already-Declared Candidates
While the EFF plays its cards close to its chest, other parties have already shown their hand for the Johannesburg mayoral race .
ActionSA has confirmed that its leader, Herman Mashaba, will run for mayor again. Mashaba previously served as mayor from August 2016 to November 2019 . The Democratic Alliance has put forward its federal council chairperson, Helen Zille, while Patriotic Alliance’s Kenny Kunene, currently serving as MMC for Transport in the metro, has also declared his candidacy .
The MK Party has indicated it will reveal its candidate before April, while the ANC remains undecided on whether to stick with incumbent mayor Dada Morero or nominate a fresh face .
Voter Registration Campaign
The EFF is preparing to launch a massive voter registration campaign on Saturday, 12 March, at the party’s headquarters in Marshalltown, Johannesburg . The launch is part of a broader, nationwide programme aimed at mobilising eligible voters ahead of the 2026 polls .
High Stakes for Joburg
The upcoming local government elections are expected to be fiercely contested, with the City of Johannesburg among the key battlegrounds . The metro is currently grappling with service delivery challenges, including water and electricity shortages, deteriorating road infrastructure, uncollected refuse, and non-functioning traffic signals .
Dlamini emphasised that the EFF will stick to its own internal processes and schedule. “You have to work on your own plans that talk to you about how you are structured as an organisation, making sure that all your structures are ready, and we did that at the end of February,” he said .
For now, the party insists it will not be rushed, and will announce its candidate on its own timeline .
