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Helen Zille is the one of three of the DA’s contenders for the 2026 mayorship of the City of Joburg.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is expected to unveil its candidate for Johannesburg Mayor in the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE) this Saturday morning.
Good morning South Africa, today I will announce the DA’s Mayoral candidate for Johannesburg. The DA stands ready to rescue Joburg.🇿🇦
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) September 20, 2025
Among the leading contenders in the race is DA Federal Council Chairperson, Helen Zille.
The announcement from Zille, first reported in June, gave some insights into the DA’s aggressive push to regain control of South Africa’s commercial capital.
Other candidates jostling for power include Johannesburg caucus leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku.
DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga says, “Helen [Zille] is one of three in the running. I think all of you will have to wait. What I can tell you is it will be somebody who is very much capable, it’s somebody that we would have full trust in, who would be able to turn Johannesburg around.”
He add: “Johannesburg is in serious need of clear and renewed leadership. Johannesburg is in need of some sense of direction, because really what we have seen in the last while isn’t where Johannesburg should be.”
VIDEO | Helen Zille considers Johannesburg mayoral bid:
