DA, Zille banking on protest vote in Joburg’s mayoral race

ON SEPTEMBER 20, the DA officially nominated Helen Zille to be its mayoral candidate in Johannesburg in the upcoming 2026 Local Government Election (LGE).

- PROF BHEKI MNGOMEZULU

THE DA's Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille. The weakening of the ANC and service delivery challenges augur well for the DA, says the writer.

Like any political party, the DA has the right to decide who to deploy as a mayoral candidate. It has become fashionable for some political parties to nominate someone who does not reside in an area for the mayoral position. Some people (especially party members) applaud this practice for preferring talent and skill instead of one’s residency. Others, however, cry foul and question this decision, which undermines local talent. This is an ongoing debate.

But what does Zille’s nomination mean for the ANC? This question is more important than its counterpart, which is: What does Zille’s nomination mean for the DA? The reason is that the ANC stands to be the biggest loser through this nomination. There are various reasons for that.

Firstly, currently, the people of Johannesburg are facing many challenges under the leadership of the ANC. Among other concerns is the water crisis, collapsing infrastructure due to years of neglect, dilapidated buildings and roads that are littered with potholes. Residents have been complaining about the scarcity of water in Johannesburg, which is South Africa’s economic hub.

Moreover, claims of incorrect electricity bills have become a common occurrence, with some residents said to be owing the municipality over RSOO 000 per person. As water tankers struggle to service communities, people's anger has reached crisis proportions. The current mayor, Dada Morero, has made promises to fix the water problem but has failed to deliver.