As South Africa gears up for its local government elections on November 4, the African National Congress (ANC) is poised to reveal its candidate for Johannesburg mayor. This election is set to be fiercely competitive, especially in Johannesburg, one of the nation’s key metropolitan areas. Currently, the city is under the governance of an ANC-led coalition, with Dada Morero at the helm as the executive mayor. However, Morero’s position as the ANC’s choice for the upcoming race has been in question since he was unseated from the party’s Greater Johannesburg regional chair in 2025, prompting the ANC to initiate a broader search for a suitable candidate after their initial nomination did not align with national guidelines.
Among the names emerging as top contenders in the ANC’s selection process is Reverend Frank Chikane, who has gained attention following the party’s series of interviews with prospective candidates. Meanwhile, other prominent political parties have moved swiftly in their preparations, having already nominated their candidates for the mayoral race. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have put forward Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, while ActionSA has named former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba as their candidate. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has selected Helen Zille, who has previously served as the mayor of Cape Town and the premier of the Western Cape.
In addition to these major parties, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has nominated Mlungisi Mabaso as their candidate. Other parties such as Rise Mzansi, Build One South Africa (BOSA), the Land Party, and Al Jama-ah have also announced their contenders. The election discourse is expected to concentrate on critical issues such as service delivery, infrastructure, water and electricity supply, housing, crime, and local economic development, all of which are pressing concerns for the electorate.
Johannesburg’s political landscape has been a focal point for national attention, given its size and significance in the country. The outcome of the elections in this metropolitan area will likely have far-reaching implications for the political dynamics in South Africa. As the ANC finalizes its candidate list, all eyes will be on how they navigate the challenges posed by this election, particularly in retaining their influence in such a pivotal city.