Critics argue that framing veteran politician and former Cape Town premier, Helen Zille, as a messiah for Joburg is misleading and unrealistic.
The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) choice for Johannesburg mayor has sparked a political firestorm, with some detractors and analysts accusing the party of abandoning its strategy of ''fronting'' black leaders and instead exposing what they see as a blatant disregard for transformation, equity, and the democratic values it claims to uphold.
The backlash was triggered on Saturday in Mofolo, Soweto, when the party unveiled its 74-year-old stalwart as its candidate for the city's mayoral position in next year’s local elections.
DA leader John Steenhuisen defended the shock announcement, claiming Zille’s candidacy would rescue Johannesburg from collapse and restore basic services.
This comes as residents continue to endure water shortages, sewage overflows, relentless power cuts, and a city whose infrastructure is on the brink of ruin.
Veteran politician Zille, a formidable figure in South African politics, is gearing up for battle to control Johannesburg, a contest set to ignite fierce political clashes in the country’s economic heart.
Zille, now serving as the DA’s Federal Council Chair, previously led Cape Town from 2006 to 2009, where she earned global recognition by winning the 2008 World Mayor Prize for her leadership, vision, and effective governance.
The DA confirmed that six candidates were interviewed for the Johannesburg mayoral position, but only Helen Zille’s name was made public, with the rest kept under wraps.
Political analyst Kenneth Mokgatlhe argued that the DA has abandoned its long-standing strategy of ''fronting with black leaders in recent years,'' signalling a sharp shift in the party’s approach to transformation and representation.
“There was a realisation by the party's leadership that the exodus of the black leaders, such as Lindiwe Mazibuko, Herman Mashaba, Mmusi Maimane et al, did not really impact the party's electoral performance.”
Mokgatlhe also stated that it was greatly disappointing that someone who is considered a veteran in the DA would be a gatekeeper for young, potential leaders in the DA.
“It is especially disappointing that black youth leadership in the DA is ignored in the DA's candidacy for the 2026 local government elections. The party needs to be more diverse if they are going to remain relevant in the political arena,” he added.
Mokgatlhe emphasised that South Africa’s political landscape should be led by its majority, the black youth, and argued that Zille has had her turn in the spotlight, insisting the DA must now create space for new leaders to emerge.
He added that portraying Zille as the ultimate solution for Johannesburg, based solely on her tenure as Cape Town mayor, is misleading and unrealistic.
“Look at the places where black people are staying outside Cape Town. The biggest murder rates take place in places like Michelle Plein, Langa, Khayelitsha, which is directly linked to the poor state of living among black and colored communities,” Mokgatlhe stressed.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has also sharply criticised the DA’s decision to field Zille as its mayoral candidate, accusing her of attempting to “bring back apartheid.”
Mashaba added that Zille has little chance of winning in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub.
“We are going to make sure that people of Soweto, people of Alexandra can really rest assured that this is someone who believes very strongly that people like Herman Mashaba, Dr Mpho Phalatse cannot be leaders, that they don’t have ethical black leaders, she believes she is the ethical black leader.”
Mashaba echoed Mokgatlhe’s criticism of the DA’s Western Cape governance, which the party often touts as a model of effective service delivery, pointing out that the province still struggles with entrenched poverty and underdeveloped townships.
Mashaba, a former Johannesburg mayor, recalled that during his tenure, he clashed with DA leadership over his push to deliver services to townships and low-income communities.
But not everyone thinks Zille's mayoral candidacy is a bad idea.
Kedibone Phago, director of the School for Government Studies at the North-West University (NWU), said unleashing Zille could give the DA a strategic advantage in the run-up to the 2029 general election.
He noted that while the ANC is losing support, the DA isn't necessarily gaining it, posing a strategic challenge for the party.
Phago proposed that if Zille were to serve as mayor of Johannesburg, focusing on citizen concerns, infrastructure, and restoring functionality, the city could become a model of effective governance.
Another political commentator, Anda Mbikwana, calls the DA's move a strategy.
''Helen Zille's emergence as the Democratic Alliance's mayoral candidate for Johannesburg represents far more than a routine political appointment — it signals a calculated strategic pivot that illuminates the broader realignment of South African politics under the Government of National Unity.
''The DA's selection of Zille comes after their preferred candidates declined the position, revealing this was not their first choice but rather a pragmatic decision to deploy their most recognisable political asset. While this might appear as settling for second best, it demonstrates shrewd political calculation.
''Zille brings proven governance credentials and unmatched name recognition — qualities essential for a party attempting to expand beyond its traditional strongholds.
''Her candidacy represents continuity with the DA's Western Cape success story, providing a tangible example of their governance capabilities that extends beyond rhetoric.''
The Star
masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za
Additional Reporting: IOL