DA Names Helen Zille as 2026 Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate at Soweto Event

• The Democratic Alliance has announced its 2026 Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate on Saturday, 20 September 2025, in Soweto
• The DA announced that the former Cape Town Mayor, Helen Zille, is to run as the mayoral candidate of Joburg
• The party stated that its objective is winning Johannesburg in the 2026 local elections and restoring the city

The Democratic Alliance has announced their 2026 Johannesburg mayoral candidate. The Democratic Alliance leader, John Steenhuisen, announced that Helen Zille will be the party's mayoral candidate for the 2026 elections.

The 74-year-old, who serves as the party’s federal council chairperson, accepted the nomination on Saturday, 20 September 2025.

Zille will represent the DA in the 2026 local government elections, with the party describing her as an experienced leader positioned to restore stability and confidence in the City’s future.

What did Steenhuisen say?

Speaking at the event, DA leader John Steenhuisen, said that the problem in Johannesburg is the politicians. He said that the city does not have leadership. Steenhuisen stated that people in Johannesburg need the DA to fix the city.

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The DA leader said that the president of the country had said it himself. He stated that the DA must ensure that they get into power to fix the city—more information to follow.

Ramaphosa praises DA

The DA has gained momentum after ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa praised its governance, noting that ANC councillors could learn from the party and pointing out that the best-performing municipalities are under DA leadership.

DA Gauteng Provincial Leader Solly Msimanga said the party is focused on implementing projects that improve people’s lives rather than teaching the ANC how to govern. He said that the DA prioritises service delivery and ensuring that its councillors are people-oriented and committed to serving communities.

What did South Africans say?

Social media users shared their opinions about Helen Zille.

@DjangoXtra said:

"A septuagenarian pensioner as candidate?"

@D_Naeser said:

"She's 74 years old this year.. Will be 80 if she completes her term.Why doesn't the DA believe in any of it's local leaders? Or young leaders? Or people who actually live in the city? Not an inspired choice."

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@PatrioticSAWar said:

"What does Helen know about Joburg? I’m sticking with Mashaba shame who actually knows what the city needs and has done it before. We don’t want that old lady."

@NtsaphoMadyibi said:

"A city that probably has a median age below 40 years being led by a 70+ something Mayor. SA is alive with possibilities. I hate the teachings we got as kids that we must obey & respect elders, because now we are crippled from rising to the occasion."

@MachengKgaphola said:

"They don’t trust their own Gauteng Leaders."

DA open to working with ANC to improve its service delivery

In another article, Briefly News reported that the Democratic Alliance said that it was open to joining forces with the African National Congress for the sake of communities.

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa recently admitted that the DA had a better track record with service delivery.

Source: Briefly News