Gareth Cliff Endorses Helen Zille for Joburg Mayor: “Johannesburg Deserves Leadership”
- The Democratic Alliance officially confirmed Helen Zille as its candidate for Johannesburg mayor ahead of the 2026 local government elections
- On Saturday, 20 September 2025, Gareth Cliff took to his X account and weighed in on Helen Zille's candidacy
- His post drew a wave of reactions, with some agreeing with his sentiments, while others dismissed Cliff
Source: UGC
Seasoned broadcaster Gareth Cliff has weighed in on the Democratic Alliance (DA) nominating former leader Helen Zille as its candidate for mayor of Johannesburg ahead of next year’s local government elections.
The announcement of Zille as the DA’s mayoral candidate has sparked mixed reactions. Celebrities such as Siv Ngesi have endorsed Helen Zille as the best mayoral candidate for Johannesburg. Gareth Cliff has joined the chat, and his opinion is sparking a flurry of reactions.
Gareth Cliff backs Helen Zille for Joburg mayor
On Saturday, 20 September 2025, the former Idols SA judge took to his official X account and reacted to a post by Hellen Zille confirming that she had accepted the DA’s nomination as its mayoral candidate in the 2026 local government elections.
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In his reaction, Gareth Cliff endorsed Zille as the right person to lead Joburg, which he called South Africa’s most important city. Cliff, who mourned Charlie Kirk, urged people to disregard their personal opinions about the DA or Helen Zille’s controversial statements and see her for the leader she is. The post was captioned:
“Regardless of whether you like the DA, this is great news for South Africa’s most important city. I don’t want to hear from sideline commentators about Helen and her tweets, or anything else. Johannesburg deserves leadership. Good luck @helenzille”
Netizens react after Gareth Cliff endorses Helen Zille
In the comment section, some agreed with Gareth Cliff that Helen Zille was the right mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, while others dismissed his sentiments.
Here are some of the comments:
@Wendy32434156 agreed:
“The DA have to win this one. Everyone knows how well they run CT. Zille will be the best mayor JHB has ever had.”
@LukasBekker1 warned:
“They will follow the CT model and tax and special levy and surcharge the middle class to pay for everything the government is already taxing you for. It will work, but the middle class better buckle up.”
@dreamerdreamson disagreed:
“You are allowed to endorse the DA. But telling people what to do and what not to do is crazy😂”
@KayGee_Ram claimed:
“Yes. EFF will do a proper Job. DA messed up PTA. Now you drive through PTA. It's so clean due to EFF MMC @RamaboduObakeng.”
@KomaneRre argued:
“If development to you is repairing potholes and getting lights on the streets, sure. For some of us, it's more than that; it is improving the lives of the poor, which I don't think she has demonstrated, given the fact that CT townships are the most deplorable in South Africa.”
Source: UGC
Anele Mdoda and Helen Zille in heated exchange
While one seasoned broadcaster is endorsing Helen Zille, another fought with the former DA leader.
Briefly News reported that radio broadcaster Anele Mdoda and politician Helen Zille were involved in a "heated fight" with each other on air.
The DA's Federal Council Chairperson was interviewed by Mdoda and her team on the radio, which turned into a fight. Several netizens expressed mixed emotions regarding the argument between Zille and Mdoda.
Source: Briefly News
