As Johannesburg stares down another potential leadership change, the big question making waves this week is: Could Helen Zille be the answer to the city’s mounting problems?
yThe former mayor of Cape Town and ex-leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) is reportedly considering a comeback—this time in a completely different city with its own unique challenges.
A History of Mayors Who Come and Go
Let’s be honest—Johannesburg hasn’t exactly had a stable track record when it comes to its mayors.
The current seat is held by Dada Morero, but before him, the city saw a revolving door of leadership changes.
One of those fleeting tenures even included the DA’s own Mpho Phalatse.
And now, amid Joburg’s political chaos and service delivery issues, Zille’s name has been thrown into the mix.
Helen Zille Confirms She’s Thinking About It
Last week, Helen Zille herself confirmed that she’s been approached to run for Joburg mayor.
While nothing is official just yet, she says she’s seriously considering it.
“I’ve been asked to put my hat in the ring,” she told the media. “I’m still consulting with my family.”
Interestingly, Zille admitted that if she does make the move, she’d have to do it solo—her family is firmly rooted in Cape Town.
She has until June 15 to submit her formal application.
A Mixed Bag of Public Reaction
Unsurprisingly, the idea of “GodZille” making a political comeback in Johannesburg has sparked a national debate. On social media, people are divided.
Author and political commentator Khaya Dlanga was one of the loudest voices in support, saying Zille has what it takes to clean up the mess.
“If she runs, she will win,” he wrote. “She knows how to turn a city around—just look at Cape Town.
People don’t want political drama; they want working traffic lights, clean streets, and functional services.”
Critics Aren’t Buying It
But not everyone is convinced. Critics have pointed out that the DA has governed parts of Gauteng before—like Tshwane—and things didn’t exactly go well.
Some recalled how Cilliers Brink, the DA mayor of Tshwane, was ousted amid governance failures.
On X (formerly Twitter), @KobeMalebo wasn’t having any of it: “The DA has run key metros before and botched it!”
@luphumlongcayis chimed in too: “Zille isn’t a governance miracle.
Under the DA, Tshwane fell apart—unpaid workers, failed coalitions, and no service delivery, especially for Black communities.”
What About Cape Town’s Poor?
Then there’s the uncomfortable truth some are pointing out: Cape Town might look good from the outside, but for many of its poorer residents, life hasn’t improved.
The city has long been criticised for the stark inequality between affluent suburbs and under-serviced townships.
@papizwane2 called it out: “It’s easy to deliver services to rich areas.
What’s happening in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, or the Cape Flats?”
@NolwAzi_Tusini was even blunter: “What metrics are being used to praise Zille’s success in Cape Town? That city is blatantly anti-poor.”
Two Cities, Two Very Different Realities
For supporters, Zille represents strong leadership and a track record of getting things done.
But for critics, her tenure in Cape Town doesn’t necessarily translate to success in Johannesburg—a city facing deeply rooted issues of inequality, crumbling infrastructure, and rising crime.
And many are asking: is it fair to compare Cape Town’s relatively stable setup with Joburg’s much more volatile and complex environment?
Will She or Won’t She?
With the application deadline looming, the ball is now in Helen Zille’s court.
If she decides to run, she’ll be diving headfirst into a political minefield—but perhaps that’s exactly the kind of challenge she’s looking for.