Helen Zille considers running for mayor as Johannesburg battles financial collapse and urgent infrastructure crisis

With Johannesburg’s leadership hanging in the balance, Helen Zille has just a few days left to make a big decision.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) veteran has until 15 June 2025 to officially throw her hat into the ring for the city’s mayoral race—and the pressure is building.

According to Gauteng DA chair Solly Msimanga, the cut-off is firm. No late entries. No second chances.

Zille, speaking to BusinessTech, revealed she’s considering it and “moving in that direction,” but hasn’t made up her mind just yet.

What’s clear, though, is that she sees Johannesburg as a city in urgent need of help.

Johannesburg’s Finances Are in Crisis

The current mayor, Dada Morero, has painted a bleak financial picture.

He says the city’s infrastructure deficit has ballooned—Joburg needs R200 billion more than it currently has to fix and upgrade roads, water systems, power grids, and more.

Yet, the city only has an annual operating budget of R86 billion, making the gap feel impossible to close.

The DA’s own Johannesburg caucus leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, has criticised the current budget, arguing that essential services like water and electricity are falling further behind due to years of neglect.

Zille, for her part, believes stabilising the city’s finances is non-negotiable.

Without swift intervention, she warns, the local economy could completely unravel.

Politics in Joburg: Tough Terrain Ahead

Joburg’s political scene is anything but smooth. Since the 2021 local elections, the ANC has held more council seats than the DA, which has made governance in the metro complex and contentious.

Professor Theo Neethling, a political analyst, says the city’s coalition politics are a minefield of “high turbulence,” with alliances often shifting and trust in short supply.

Further complicating matters, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has criticised Zille’s potential candidacy, suggesting it reflects a lack of faith in Black leaders within the DA. Zille, in response, has acknowledged that race-based criticism is likely to come her way—but says she’s not interested in playing that game.

Instead, her focus is on addressing poverty and inequality, not fueling division.

Zille’s Return: High Stakes, Big Expectations

If Zille decides to go ahead with her candidacy, it won’t just be another political move—it could mark a major shakeup in Johannesburg’s future.

While she brings years of experience and leadership, turning that into tangible results will require building strong coalitions and regaining public trust.

Even her critics admit that Johannesburg is in trouble and desperately needs a steady hand.

But stepping into that role means navigating everything from budget deficits and service delivery crises to fierce political rivalries.

The Clock Is Ticking—Will Zille Step Up?

The deadline is fast approaching, and all eyes are on Zille.

Can she pull together the political muscle and public support needed to take on the chaos in Johannesburg? Could her leadership turn the tide in a city that many say is “broken”?

We’ll know soon enough—but the stakes for Joburg couldn’t be higher.