Political Parties React to Helen Zille As DA’s Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate

• The Democratic Alliance's decision to name former Western Cape premier Helen Zille as the Johannesburg mayoral candidate has been met with criticism
• The African National Congress and ActionSA slammed her candidacy and questioned her suitability as a mayor
• The DA's decision sparked a debate on social media, as some believed that she was a suitable candidate, and others doubted her fitness to run as Johannesburg mayor

Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of Current Affairs, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, cabinet reshuffles, the State of the Nation Address, parliamentary proceedings, and politician-related news, as well as elections, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

JOHANNESBURG — ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance (PA), and the African National Congress (ANC) have criticized the Democratic Alliance (DA) for announcing former Western Cape mayor and Federal Executive chair Helen Zille as the Johannesburg mayoral candidate. This was after the party officially announced her as the candidate over the weekend.

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According to IOL, ActionSA president Herman Mashaba said that Zille did not value and believe in black leadership. He said it was a sad moment for South African democracy when black leaders were made to believe that they were incapable, corrupt, and could not be trusted.

ANC unhappy with Zille candidacy

The ANC's regional spokesperson, Masilo Serekele, said that the DA's decision to field Zille was a clear indication that the DA lacks leadership renewal. He also said that Zille has a record of division and not transformation.

What did the Patriotic Alliance say?

The PA's spokesperson, Steve Motsele, said that the DA's claim of good governance is false. He pointed to the levels of poverty prevalent in Gugulethu and Khayelitsha. He said the DA serves the elite.

South Africans were sceptical of her candidacy after she accepted her nomination. Zille also spoke about her connection to Cape Town. She said her experience in politics led her to prepare for this new responsibility.

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Netizens debate her candidacy

South Africans held different views on Facebook about her candidacy.

Joseph Naison Tizisai said:

"The criticism of Helen Zille's candidacy is rooted in fear of her competence, not democracy. People are tired of incompetent politicians, and Zille's track record in Cape Town shows she can bring ities to life."

Mpendulo Wethu Sonke said:

"Let's leave hatred and racial conflicts aside. Helen did well as Premier in the Western Cape."

Thabo Emmanuel said:

"Imagine that old granny as mayor. DA and ANC are comedians."

Sipho Khumalo said:

"We care about service delivery, not transformation that comes with maladministration, graft and gross incompetency including looting state resources."

Thab'sile Ledwaba said:

"She is experienced and good for the job."

Zille roasts Cyril Ramaphosa

In another article, Briefly News reported that Helen Zille roasted President Cyril Ramaphosa. This was after Ramaphosa admitted that some DA municipalities are governed better than ANC-led municipalities.

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Zille posted an artificial-intelligence-generated image of Ramaphosa dressed in DA-themed clothing and taking a jog in the Western Cape. South Africans shared different opinions about the generated image.

Source: Briefly News