Helen Zille, 74, enters Joburg mayoral race for DA

Former Western Cape premier Helen Zille has been selected as the Democratic Alliance's (DA) mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg in the 2026 local government elections. The announcement, made at a lively event in Soweto on Saturday, brings Zille a step closer to taking over the reins of the city.

DA federal leader John Steenhuisen introduced her as "a daughter of the city," stating: "Can we build the Jozi we all love? Yes, we can! And so it is with great pride, and even greater urgency, that I re-introduce to you... your very own DA mayoral candidate for Johannesburg: Helen Zille."

The event was also addressed by DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga and DA Johannesburg chairperson Wendy Alexander.

The selection follows a period of public speculation. In an interview with IOL in June, Zille had confirmed she was "contemplating running for mayor" after being approached to put her "hat in the ring" and consulting with her family.

The move has garnered support from some unlikely corners. In a July interview on the SMWX podcast with Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, outspoken political analyst Prince Mashele said he would publicly endorse Zille for the mayoral position.

"Look, if Helen Zille wins the contest to become the mayoral candidate of Johannesburg, I am going to do something I have never done in my life. I am going to publicly endorse her," Mashele said at the time.

"This is big. I am going to do something that I have never done in my life. Publicly, I will endorse Helen Zille to be mayor of Johannesburg - with a heavy heart. The way the ANC has destroyed Johannesburg. Johannesburg used to be the pride of Africa. Parks Tau was part of the destruction of this city."

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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