With the 2026 local government elections over a year away, a fierce political contest is already taking shape for control of the City of Johannesburg, with several major parties announcing their high-profile candidates for the mayorally.
The African National Congress (ANC), which has experienced a steady electoral decline, has begun internal preparations but has not yet started its candidate selection process. According to an ANC spokesperson, the party’s National Executive Committee will likely initiate the process around February or March 2025, after adopting the official candidate selection guidelines.
In contrast, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has moved early, confirming its Federal Chairperson, Helen Zille, as its candidate. Zille, a former mayor of Cape Town, stated that the party expects a “grueling year-long election campaign.” She emphasized that while the DA plans to present a comprehensive strategy to “rescue” the city, the ultimate decision rests with voters.
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has entered the race with its Deputy President, Kenny Kunene, who recently made headlines after being cleared of any wrongdoing related to his presence at the residence of Thabo “T-Bose” Maoko during the latter’s arrest. Kunene expressed confidence, stating that the people of Johannesburg trust him based on his previous work while acting as mayor. He directly criticized former mayors, including Zille and Herman Mashaba, asking, “What have they done? They’ve done nothing.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has taken a different approach. An EFF spokesperson stated that the party will not engage in an “American style politics” popularity contest by prematurely naming candidates. Instead, the party plans to consult with communities through its substructures to determine the type of leader required before making a decision.
ActionSA President Herman Mashaba, a former mayor of Johannesburg, is playing his cards close to his chest. While not officially declaring his candidacy, Mashaba hinted strongly at the possibility, stating that ActionSA will announce its candidate “at our own time.” He emphasized that the party aims to be a decisive force in the key Gauteng metros to ensure that “no one can govern without us,” allowing him to continue the work he started.
The early jostling for position indicates that the economic hub of the country is set to be the central battleground in the 2026 local elections, with parties aiming to form a stable government in the politically fragmented metropolis. Other parties are expected to unveil their candidates closer to the polls, which are anticipated to be held in November 2025.