City of Chaos and the fight for Jozi’s mayoral chain

Johannesburg's mayoral race has reached unprecedented levels of contention, with at least ten political parties now officially vying for the position. Among them are Helen Zille of the Democratic Alliance, Herman Mashaba of ActionSA, Kenny Kunene of the Patriotic Alliance, Lukhona Mnguni of Rise Mzansi, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster of Bosa, Shireen Ebrahim of Al Jama-ah, Mlungisi Mabaso of the IFP, Ntsiki Mazwai of the Land Party, Mo-Afrika Mandla Mokoena of the APC, and Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng of the Economic Freedom Fighters. The African National Congress, however, has yet to formally announce its candidate, although Reverend Frank Chikane is widely considered the frontrunner following a protracted and highly visible selection process. The outcome of this election will not be determined solely by the votes cast, but by the ability of the winning party to secure a majority within the newly formed council. This is because the mayor of Johannesburg is chosen by the council members rather than directly by the electorate. Given the fragmented nature of the current field, this system adds another layer of complexity to an already high-stakes contest. Johannesburg holds a central role in South Africa's economic landscape, contributing approximately 16.5% of the nation’s GDP, more than the entire province of KwaZulu-Natal. It operates within the broader Gauteng region, which accounts for nearly a third of the country’s total economic output. The city serves as the primary hub for corporate headquarters, financial institutions, and commercial services. A senior official from the Department of Cooperative Governance recently emphasized that the city’s performance has direct implications for national economic stability, with its successes or failures influencing the overall strength of the country. This understanding explains why so many political parties are competing aggressively for control of the city. For each contender, securing the mayorship is not just about governance, it is about demonstrating leadership over the engine room of the national economy. This ambition is particularly relevant ahead of the 2029 general elections, where the ability to manage Johannesburg could shape the trajectory of national politics. The situation has created tensions within the Government of National Unity, where some parties hold national power but compete fiercely at the local level. The Democratic Alliance and the Patriotic Alliance, for example, are coalition partners at the national level but are direct rivals in Johannesburg, with Zille and Kunene both seeking the same office. Similar dynamics have played out in the Western Cape, where the DA and the PA were once allies in George Municipality before their partnership collapsed, leading to repeated electoral confrontations. Zille, meanwhile, launched her campaign several months ahead of her competitors. Her candidacy was officially announced in September 2025 during a launch event in Soweto. Since then, she has adopted an unconventional approach, including paddling through flooded streets, swimming in contaminated water reservoirs, filing a formal complaint with the Public Protector on behalf of residents in Eldorado Park and Kliptown, and using suburban WhatsApp groups as a tool for mobilizing support. Analysts suggest that her early entry allowed her to capture significant media attention while other parties were still deliberating on their candidates. However, as the campaign progresses, the effectiveness of these tactics remains uncertain. Some commentators warn that the initial novelty of her strategies may lose appeal over time, potentially undermining her momentum. What initially appeared as a dynamic and innovative campaign could risk becoming stale as the election approaches. With the voting set to take place in November, the challenge for all contenders will be to maintain voter engagement and relevance in a rapidly evolving political environment.