Democratic Alliance Mayoral Candidate Helen Zille Identifies ActionSA and Patriotic Alliance as Primary Electoral Threats in Johannesburg

DA candidate Helen Zille names Herman Mashaba and Kenny Kunene as main Joburg rivals, warning that voter turnout is the key to winning the 2026 election.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 11:24 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from IOL Politics

Navigating the Competitive Landscape of the Metro

Democratic Alliance mayoral hopeful Helen Zille has pinpointed Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba as her most formidable opponents in the race for the City of Gold. In a recent interview, Zille suggested that the election's outcome will be determined by which party can most effectively mobilize its base. She noted that while the African National Congress remains a traditional power, the ruling party is currently paralyzed by internal divisions that complicate its candidate selection process. This landscape has allowed smaller, more agile parties to position themselves as significant challengers for the mayoral chains.

Critiquing Infrastructure and the Pothole Alliance

Zille directed sharp criticism toward Kenny Kunene, mocking the Patriotic Alliance by rebranding it the "Pothole Alliance." She argued that Kunene’s responsibility over the city's road infrastructure has resulted in visible failure, citing the deteriorating state of Johannesburg’s streets as evidence of poor management. By highlighting these service delivery lapses, Zille is attempting to frame the election as a choice between professional governance and what she describes as ineffective coalition politics. She believes that the physical state of the city will serve as a primary indicator for voters when they head to the polls.

The Rise of Anti-Immigrant Political Sentiment

Addressing the threat posed by Herman Mashaba, Zille acknowledged that the ActionSA leader’s focus on immigration is a powerful "vote winner." She warned of a deep-seated resentment toward foreigners in many parts of Johannesburg, which Mashaba has reportedly leveraged to bolster his campaign support. While Zille admitted this strategy might yield electoral gains for her rival, she expressed concern over the potentially disastrous social consequences of such a narrative. The DA's strategy involves countering this populist appeal by focusing on broader administrative reforms and economic stability.