DA federal leader and City of Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille has launched the Democratic Alliance manifesto for the upcoming local government elections, sharply criticising the ANC for what she called a governance crisis in Johannesburg.
She said the city is suffering from failing infrastructure, including water shortages, potholes and broken traffic lights, blaming corruption and poor leadership.
Also see: Helen Zille’s AI dance clip sends South African social media into a spin
“Let’s be very clear, politics broke Joburg. The choices that voters made in the past broke Joburg, and only the voters, through the political process, can fix Joburg. So politics must fix Joburg. That can only happen if voters understand their role in that and deliver the blue party to govern the city,” Zille said.
Helen Zille : ” The ANC’s brand is corruption, when you say to people what is the first word that comes to you when you hear ANC? people will say corruption” I agree with uGogo on this one
She only forgot to say the D.A works for white people in Cape town satana🤧🤧 pic.twitter.com/zAfg47s0G4
— FighterGiveUsASignal (@athenkosi591) March 7, 2026
“The ANC’s brand is corruption, crime, and collapse. That is the ANC brand. There have been a lot of studies, when you say to people, what is the first word that comes into your head when you hear ANC, 90% of the people say corruption,” Zille said.
HAPPENING NOW | Democratic Alliance Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate Helen Zille is launching the party’s manifesto as the country prepares for the Local Government Elections later this year. She says the current government does not care for the people. pic.twitter.com/OyRG7HSC16
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 7, 2026
Zille pledged that a DA-led government would prioritise reliable water and electricity, repair roads, create 200,000 jobs, strengthen law enforcement and improve government efficiency.
“We will stop the stealing and wasting of money. We will ring-fence revenues paid for the most important services and invest in improving those services. We will partner with the private sector to build Joburg’s future.”
💙 Our pledge is clear: Get Johannesburg working again.
Money meant for basic services must serve residents not the ANC’s friends and families.
The DA will restore order and delivery in Johannesburg.
🗳️ Vote DA. Vote Helen Zille for Mayor. pic.twitter.com/9j1dHf1tUF
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) March 7, 2026
She added: “With a capable government and quality basic services, we will bring Joburg’s business centres back to life. The local economy will grow, and jobs will return. Joburg can only be saved in partnership with business and the City’s heroic residents.,” Zille said.
Also see: WATCH: Zille to repeat Cape Town failures in Joburg says Herman Mashaba
She also urged voters to turn out in large numbers in the 2026 local government elections to help “fix” Johannesburg.
💙🇿🇦 United to get Joburg working. Today Helen Zille launched her 5 pledges to make this a reality.
🚰 Reliable water and electricity
🚧 Roads that work
💼 Attract 200,000 new jobs
🚔 Kill corruption and make public spaces safer
🏛️ A professional, modern government pic.twitter.com/N14wJA6DQw
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) March 7, 2026
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
First published on African Insider
