Helen Zille for Mayor? ‘I have unfinished business in Johannesburg’
The DA is considering putting Helen Zille, who grew up in Johannesburg, forward as a candidate for Mayor.
DA federal chairperson Helen Zille at the national IEC results centre on 30 May 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
702’s Bongani Bingwa speaks with Helen Zille, Chairperson of the Federal Council of the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Listen below:
Helen Zille is seriously considering running for Johannesburg Mayor in 2026 after being formally approached by the DA to do so.
She was a member of Parliament from 2004 to 2006, when she became Mayor of the City of Cape Town. Zille was pivotal in the DA's success in Cape Town, which led to the party taking the province from the ANC, and Zille becoming Premier from 2009 to 2019.
The central message of the party since then has been ‘Where we govern - we do it better!’
Zille grew up in Johannesburg and says she wants to see the city improve.
“I have unfinished business in Johannesburg.”
- Helen Zille, Chairperson of the Federal Council - Democratic Alliance
“South Africa cannot succeed if Joburg is broken.”
- Helen Zille, Chairperson of the Federal Council - Democratic Alliance
Some argue that Zille may be found wanting on key issues relating to race and transformation.
In response to that, she says voters will need to decide whether they care more about racial policies or services.
“The DA worries about getting people out of poverty, not race.”
- Helen Zille, Chairperson of the Federal Council - Democratic Alliance
“Nobody is going to get a job unless there is more investment.”
- Helen Zille, Chairperson of the Federal Council - Democratic Alliance
Zille says around 12 people from the party have put their names forward to be in the running for Mayor.
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