Just when South African politics seemed to be settling down after the national elections, an unexpected spark reignited debate—Helen Zille, a prominent figure in the Democratic Alliance (DA), has expressed interest in running for mayor of Johannesburg in the upcoming 2026 local government elections.

And while some see her as a potential problem-solver, others—especially the UMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party—see her as completely out of place.

From Hillbrow to City Hall? Zille Thinks She’s Got What It Takes

Helen Zille, no stranger to politics or Johannesburg, grew up in Hillbrow and worked as a journalist at the Rand Daily Mail during apartheid.

Now, she’s turning her gaze back to her roots—this time with a goal to fix Johannesburg from the top.

Speaking on Radio 702 on June 9, Zille made her case.

“If we’re going to save South Africa,” she said, “we’ve got to start with Johannesburg.

It’s the economic heart of the country.

If it’s broken, the country is broken.” Her vision? A grassroots rebuilding effort, starting with competent local governance.

MK Party: “This Makes No Sense”

But the MK Party isn’t buying it. Their response? A hard no.

They called the idea of Zille running Johannesburg “nonsensical,” especially given the pool of capable candidates who already live and work in the city.

To them, Zille’s candidacy isn’t just questionable—it’s alienating.

“She’s a Capetonian trying to run Joburg,” the MK Party pointed out, arguing that her outside perspective might not align with the needs and dynamics of the city’s communities.

Blame Lies with the ANC, Says MK Party

The MK Party didn’t stop at criticizing Zille. They took aim at the African National Congress (ANC) too, saying the party has allowed the city to collapse under its current leadership.

According to MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, it’s “shameful” that Dada Morero—Johannesburg’s absentee mayor—has left the city vulnerable to being handed over to what he called “a white supremacist.”

The MK Party accuses the ANC of enabling Zille’s confidence to even consider stepping in.

“This city has been brought to its knees,” Ndhlela said, “and the people who caused it now want to hand it over to someone who doesn’t even live here.”

“We Don’t Buy the ‘Colour-Blind’ DA Narrative”

Ndhlela also challenged the DA’s usual claim of being colour-blind in their leadership selections.

He pointed to the party’s actions in Cape Town, accusing them of prioritizing communities differently based on race.

“There are more than enough qualified black candidates in Johannesburg who can step up,” he said, rejecting the idea that Zille—or anyone from outside the city—should be the answer to the metro’s troubles.

What Do Joburg Residents Think?

With the debate heating up, the big question is: how do the people of Johannesburg feel about Helen Zille potentially stepping into the mayor’s office?

Could she actually turn things around—or is her candidacy just another political distraction?