Mashaba slams DA for naming Zille as mayoral candidate

ACTIONSA leader Herman Mashaba has slammed the Democratic Alliance's (DA) decision to field Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg in the 2026 local government elections, accusing her of wanting to “bring back apartheid”.

- JONISAYI MAROMO

Mashaba said Zille, the former Cape Town mayor and current DA federal council chair, stood no chance of winning in South Africa’s economic hub.

Zille, 74, accepted her nomination on Saturday during an event in Soweto, where DA leader John Steenhuisen introduced her as “a daughter of the city.”

Reacting to Zille's candidacy, Mashaba — who previously served as Johannesburg mayor under the DA — told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that the city could not be led by someone he described as “racist.”

“All peace-loving South Africans can understand that we cannot have such racists like Helen Zille to really be in charge of the powerhouse of this country. We have capable, ethical black leadership in this country, which was oppressed for centuries...and for Helen Zille who so dearly misses apartheid, wants to bring it back to a city where 80% of the voters are black,” he said.