Key Takeaways
- Helen Zille’s enthusiastic reception in Soweto shows that people in Johannesburg are fed up with the collapse of service delivery.
- The DA is confident of winning the 2026 local government elections in Johannesburg with Zille as their candidate.
- The ANC is strategizing against Zille, but she remains popular due to the poor service delivery in the city.
- The DA’s internal squabbles may not affect the city elections, but Zille cannot win without the black vote.
- The city’s leadership is likely to be a closely contested affair, with no single party able to win it alone.
Introduction to the DA’s Campaign
Helen Zille’s enthusiastic reception by the DA faithful in Soweto over the weekend has shown that people in Johannesburg are fed up with the collapse of service delivery, according to DA member of the provincial legislature Mike Waters. Zille is confident of becoming the mayor of Johannesburg, and her campaign has been well-received by the community. The DA is attempting a second take on Johannesburg, having previously achieved a milestone in the 2016 local government elections when the ANC lost power to a DA-led coalition. Zille, a political heavyweight and the party’s federal council chair, is determined to don the mayoral chain at the conclusion of the local government elections next year.
Zille’s Confidence and Strategy
Zille has expressed her confidence in securing a victory in the 2026 local government elections, stating that all the ingredients are in play for a DA win in Johannesburg. She has a strong strategy to defeat the ANC and complete the party’s vision of controlling all major metros in the country. The fact that the DA has run successful and clean administrations in Cape Town City metro, the Western Cape provincial administration, and the Midvaal municipality in Gauteng will tempt Johannesburg voters to give the party a chance. Even President Cyril Ramaphosa recently advised ANC councillors to emulate DA counterparts in service delivery. Zille’s campaign has been well-received, and she has made massive promises of what she would deliver as a mayor.
ANC’s Response to Zille’s Campaign
However, independent political analyst Khanyi Magubane has stated that it won’t be a walk in the park for Zille as the ANC is strategizing against her in Johannesburg. The ANC is hoping to secure the city’s leadership with a clear majority, which has set the stage for drama. The breakdown of infrastructure has become a sore point for residents who will see Helen as a solution. This has caused her opponents to strategize stronger ways to counter Zille. The ANC’s internal dynamics and the influence of other parties, such as the EFF, will also play a significant role in the outcome of the elections.
Challenges Facing Zille’s Campaign
Sandile Swana, an independent analyst, has stated that Johannesburg is out of reach for the DA as no single party can win it alone. To get back into power in the city, the DA has to solicit support from the ANC or the EFF and other parties. However, Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi and the uMkhonto weSizwe party will not allow a DA mayor in Johannesburg. Zille cannot win Joburg without the black vote, but the DA’s internal squabbles may not affect the city elections. The city’s leadership is likely to be a closely contested affair, with multiple parties involved in the fray.
Conclusion and Implications
The stage is set for a fight with blood on the floor, with Zille confident of securing a victory while the ANC is working to stop her. The outcome of the 2026 local government elections in Johannesburg will have significant implications for the city and the country as a whole. The DA’s campaign, led by Zille, has shown promise, but the ANC’s internal dynamics and the influence of other parties will play a significant role in the outcome. As the campaign heats up, it remains to be seen whether Zille will be able to deliver on her promises and become the mayor of Johannesburg. The city’s residents are fed up with the collapse of service delivery, and it is up to the politicians to provide a solution. The 2026 local government elections will be a crucial test for the DA and the ANC, and the outcome will have far-reaching consequences for the city and the country.
