The Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA officially entered the mayoral race for the City of Gold over recent weeks. Helen Zille launched the DA manifesto on Saturday at the Johannesburg City Hall.
This followed ActionSA’s announcement on 21 February naming Herman Mashaba as its candidate in Soweto. Both leaders have pledged to address the city’s collapsing water systems and deteriorating road networks.
Helen Zille unveiled a plan focused on water security and job creation for the local government elections. She committed to attracting 200,000 new jobs to the city by restoring investor confidence through better infrastructure maintenance.
Zille criticised the current administration for spending less than 10 cents of every rand collected on essential repairs. She promised to ring-fence utility revenues specifically for fixing water and electricity services.
The DA candidate also took aim at Kenny Kunene over the city’s significant pothole crisis. She noted that the maintenance backlog has reached an estimated R300 billion under the current governing coalition.
Zille argued that only a DA majority can end the “coalitions of chaos” seen in recent years. She highlighted that Cape Town’s lower poverty rates prove the DA’s governance model effectively serves all residents.
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ActionSA focuses on law and order
Herman Mashaba launched his “Operation Fix Joburg” campaign with a strong focus on law and order and corruption. Speaking in Orlando East, Mashaba stated that the city needs a fighter to reclaim it from criminal syndicates.
He outlined the pillars of his campaign, including tackling illegal immigration and upgrading ageing electricity substations. Mashaba previously served as mayor from 2016 to 2019, as a member of the DA, and claims to have unfinished business in the metro.
The mayoral race intensifies as residents face frequent water interruptions and a worsening infrastructure crisis across the city. Voters will head to the polls later this year to decide which rescue plan for the city they trust.
Image: Naledi Mashishi/Daily Maverick
