Born in Uganda, raised in Cape Town, Zohran Mamdani wins historic New York mayoral race

Only in New York can an immigrant born in Uganda and partly raised in Cape Town rise to be voted mayor of New York City just seven years after becoming a U.S. citizen. His name is Zohran Mamdani. And Donald Trump did everything he could to prevent it — and failed spectacularly.

“He’s a communist! I will withhold federal funding to New York if he wins,” Trump threatened, as Mamdani edged closer to becoming mayor. In the end, the 34‑year‑old Mamdani prevailed. New York chose him by a landslide despite Trump’s threats and tantrums.

It was a resounding victory, a momentous game‑changer and an overwhelming validation from New Yorkers. But the question being asked is: how did Mamdani, an almost unknown Muslim figure a year ago, convince New Yorkers that he was the best man for the job? How did he go from being virtually unheard of — where people struggled even to say his name — to winning the support of 67 % of Jewish New Yorkers under 44?

That alone makes his victory a serious day of reckoning. And it’s not because New York’s gone mad.

One year ago, he stood on the streets of New York — a lone figure, no media, no cameras. Just a man trying to get New Yorkers to support his bold campaign as the Democratic nominee, a self‑styled democratic socialist.

He dared to dream. And dream big in a city which was tough. A city that brought us Luciano and the New York mafia families. A city that can take you out in a heartbeat if you dare to give it a funny look.

And there he was: a lone Muslim man, placard in hand, trying to engage busy New Yorkers. A year ago, most ignored him and scurried past in typical New York fashion — too busy to care. A year later the paparazzi are all over him and everyone wants to shake his hand. He’s gone from nobody to mayor of New York.

The youngest ever mayor, born in Africa, now taking over New York. Trump did not see this coming.

In the end it was simple: David vs Goliath. The working class vs the wealthy.

Mamdani became a voice for the voiceless. He echoed their concerns, frustrations and hopes for a better, more affordable life. He resonated with their fears, their cries for a safer city. He delivered hope. He reached out and listened — to cab drivers, youth, mothers, students, African Americans, Jews, Latinos, Muslims. He spoke to them and not at them.

He also echoed their zest for life despite their struggles to get by, despite their hustling. He danced, rapped, tangoed, campaigned in Spanish and Arabic, walked the streets, rode the buses... and that cheesy smile? It caught on. That catchy tune — “the name’s Mamdani, M A M D A N I, learn how to say it” — became a viral TikTok trend. “Have you seen him clubbing? He knows songs that people who look like him don’t know — that’s why I’m voting Mamdani!” said a young Black female New Yorker.

Mamdani — like many young people today — used a dating app to find love and married her.

And that’s the point. People who look like him. The Muslims. The stereotype. The terrorist label. The perception of a fanatical religion. Mamdani is none of that. Like the majority of the 2 billion Muslims worldwide — 25 % of the global population — Mamdani is an ordinary New Yorker. An immigrant with big dreams.

For Muslims, Mamdani’s victory is a win over Islamophobia that has too often defined American politics since Trump became president and since 9/11.

Mamdani has, in a sense, taken up that PR battle to redefine the perception of Muslims in America. And for New Yorkers, the message to Trump was loud and clear: New York is not for sale.

Just days before Mamdani’s final push, social media exploded. While many supported him, critics rushed to double‑down on attacks. Allegations of him supporting ISIS — which he has repeatedly rejected — kept surfacing in a desperate last‑ditch attempt to turn the tide. The pro‑Andrew Cuomo group — the independent mayoral candidate and Trump’s “ja baas” man — amplified bigotry, fear, ignorance and Islamophobia. Trump stoked that fear, calling Mamdani a communist and denouncing Jews who vote for him as “stupid”. Elon Musk also weighed in, announcing his support for Cuomo and dismissing Mamdani as “Mumdumi or whatever his name is”.

And still, Mamdani won.

He won because he rode the wave of populist politics: anti‑establishment, anti‑billionaire. Free buses, a rent freeze and a policy aimed at taxing New York’s wealthiest 1 % an additional 2 %. The people’s mayor. And that’s what won the day.

He won the hearts of New Yorkers — a city with the highest Jewish population outside Israel. A city with an energised youth population. A city with unmatched diversity in demographics representing 190 countries, 336 languages, and one voice which spoke at the ballot.

The name’s Mamdani. M A M D A N I. The world is about to learn how to say it. Especially Trump.

IOL Opinion