Helen Zille tipped as Johannesburg’s ‘best hope’ for 2026 mayoral race

702's Bongani Bingwa is joined by political analyst Ebrahim Harvey.

Listen below:

Formidable, confident and 'Jozi's best hope for recovery'.

Political analyst Ebrahim Harvey has penned a Sunday Times piece outlining why he believes the former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader is the saviour Johannesburg desperately needs.

Murmurings of Zille's ambitions in Joburg began earlier this year when she confirmed that the DA had approached her to throw her hat into the Mayoral ring in 2026.

In June, she told Bongani Bingwa, "I have unfinished business in Johannesburg."

Harvey believes she's the right woman for the job.

"I really think and believe she's probably the most confident and formidable person... and you need that down in Joburg."

- Ebrahim Harvey, political analyst

With his own left-leaning politics, Harvey says he knew that the piece would draw some raised eyebrows.

"I knew that there would be a comeback response from people, surprised, given my history, that I would back Zille."

- Ebrahim Harvey, political analyst

Harvey says his endorsement of Zille is a testament to how bad things have become in the City of Gold.

"It's so bad in Joburg, I don't know if it's maybe even too late to arrest the decline."

- Ebrahim Harvey, political analyst

ALSO READ: Helen Zille's Joburg mayoral bid a fait accompli - Tshidi Madia, EWN

But naysayers could well point to areas in Cape Town, where service delivery and other issues remain a problem for the predominantly Black residents of such places, says Bongani.

Zille served as the Mayor of Cape Town from 2006 to 2009 and then became the Premier of the Western Cape between 2009 to 2019.

"Indeed, there's a legitimacy to the grievance of Black people in Cape Town that white suburbia tends to be prioritised in service delivery..."

- Ebrahim Harvey, political analyst

"But, if you compare Khayalitsha or Gugulethu with what is happening in the rest of the country in other so-called Black African areas in particular, then it is better! I can tell you it's better!"

- Ebrahim Harvey, political analyst

ALSO READ: If Zille runs, it implies the DA does not have confidence in black people, says Herman Mashaba (ActionSA)

Is Zille the saviour Joburg needs? Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation from Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa.