Ready D, Ntsiki Mazwai and 4 Other SA Celebs Contesting in the 2026 Local Government Elections

• Several South African celebrities, including a retired footballer, actor, poet and hip-hop DJ, announced plans to contest the November local government elections
• Ready D revealed he stepped away from his KFM role to focus on his mayoral campaign for Cape Town under the People's Movement for Change
• Veteran musician Ringo Madlingozi, a former EFF MP, warned celebrities to think carefully before entering politics after his own sobering experience

South Africa's entertainment world is stepping into the political ring ahead of the November local government elections, with six well-known public figures announcing plans to contest various seats across the country.

The list includes former Orlando Pirates footballer Thulasizwe Mbuyane, who is standing for Ward 67 in Tshwane under the Economic Liberators Forum South Africa. He is joined by former cash-in-transit offender-turned-podcaster Themba "SkeemGP" Nzimande, who is the Afrika Mayibuye Movement's mayoral candidate in Ekurhuleni, and former Moja Love host Xolani Khumalo, who is contesting the same race for ActionSA. Uzalo actor Jimmy Magubane is running for Ward 7 in Ntshongweni, Durban, representing the African Transformation Movement.

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Ntsiki Mazwai contests for Joburg mayor

Poet, musician and activist Ntsiki Mazwai has entered the Johannesburg mayoral race under the Land Party, motivated by what she describes as the city's deepening decline.

"Like so many Joburg residents, I have watched with deep pain as those entrusted with our city have allowed it to fall into neglect and lawlessness," she told the Sunday Times. "Joburg was once a beacon of promise; today too much of it reflects the dysfunction we see across our continent."

Mazwai stressed that her political engagement stretches back decades and is not simply a response to an available ballot.

"I have spent years speaking truth to power from outside the system. Now I want to take that voice into the chambers where decisions are made — and turn criticism into action, accountability and tangible change."

Ready D steps back from KFM to run for Cape Town mayor

Hip-hop pioneer Ready D, born Deon Daniels and a former member of Prophets of the City, is the People's Movement for Change's mayoral candidate for Cape Town. He told the Sunday Times that his path towards politics began after party leader Marius Fransman invited him to a film screening in June last year, followed by a conversation about community service.

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His motivation runs deeper than party alignment. Ready D grew up experiencing forced removals firsthand, with his family among the last to be relocated from District Six to Mitchells Plain. He also lived through the 1976 riots and the states of emergency between 1985 and 1988.

"I have first-hand experience with forced removals... The trauma of witnessing so many things, paying close attention to how it impacts society," he said.

To focus fully on his campaign, Ready D stepped away from his presenting role at KFM, where he had worked since July last year. He described the separation as amicable, adding:

"We don't want to be in a position where people can accuse us of having a platform to push our agenda."

Ringo Madlingozi urges caution

Not everyone is enthusiastic about the trend. Multi-award-winning musician Ringo Madlingozi, who served as an EFF Member of Parliament from 2019 to 2023, urged aspiring celebrity politicians to reflect carefully. He said he valued his time in Parliament but found the experience eye-opening in ways he had not anticipated, including having some radio stations stop playing his music due to his EFF affiliation.

"That's not where I want to be," he said plainly, making clear he has no intention of returning to political office.

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Former 7de Laan star enters political race in Cape Town

In a related development, Briefly News previously reported that Melanie du Bois confirmed that she was entering politics ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

She revealed why she is entering politics and indicated that she would step away from her real estate career if elected.

Source: Briefly News