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DA’s Helen Zille speaking in Soweto where the party as its choice for JHB mayor, 20 September 2025.
Former Western Cape Premier and Democratic Alliance (DA) Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille has called on Johannesburg residents to vote for change in the 2026 local government elections.
She was speaking in Soweto, where the DA announced her as its candidate.
Zille says Joburg residents have the power to reverse the decline of the city.
Zille says that in a democracy, the people have more power than their government, if they will only use it.
“They can vote for change. They can evict a bad government and demand better. The greatest risk facing Joburg is that their people resign themselves to the path of failure and give up on her promise. We are here to say, we will not give up,” says Zille.
Video | Zille is DA’s Joburg mayoral candidate:
Meanwhile, DA leader John Steenhuisen has warned Johannesburg residents against voting for smaller parties in next year’s local government elections, saying they have trapped the city in unstable coalitions.
The city continues to face high unemployment, inequality and the lasting effects of apartheid.
Steenhuisen says much of the blame for the city’s current state is because of poor leadership.
“But you know what Johannesburg doesn’t have? Leadership. Johannesburg doesn’t have leadership, and what we have today is not governance, it’s decay management. That’s what this government in Johannesburg is doing, they’re not governing, they’re managing decay, and even as they manage decay, they do it badly,” says Steenhuisen.
Related video | Some people withdrew from DA Joburg mayoral candidate race: Msimanga
🚀 The DA is proud to announce Helen Zille as the 2026 Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate! A leader, ready to restore hope, unite residents, deliver quality services and real opportunities for all the people.#BelieveInJoburg #DAatWork pic.twitter.com/mjiLo1bBIj
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) September 20, 2025
