The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Provincial leader, Solly Msimanga, has expressed enthusiasm for Hellen Zille’s mayoral candidate selection.
Msimanga was speaking at the DA’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate reveal in Soweto, on Sataurday, 20 September. He told thousands of DA supporters that they are ready to turn things around.
The DA revealed the party’s Chairperson of the Federal Council, Zille, as the candidate for the upcoming Local Government Elections in 2026.
Responding to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent controversial speech, Msimanga said that they do not have time to educate councillors from other parties on how to govern properly. He stated that their focus and energy is dedicated solely to improving people’s lives.
Msimanga said the DA does not have time to teach people morals, but is committed to delivering projects that will improve residents’ lives.
“We don’t have time to teach people not to kill each other for tenders, but we have time to make sure that councillors we put in place are people-orientated, are people that are willing to serve,” Msimanga added.
Msimanga’s views about the current Johannesburg leadership
According to Msimanga, Johannesburg’s mayor has no direction, adding that the municipality is bankrupt and under administration.
Msimanga said the city is in a state of disrepair, stating that change was inevitable.
He highlighted that in order to draw investors to the city, it is important to prioritise strong financial oversight.
“We know this beautiful place is pregnant of the opportunities that we want to give the people, and we are ready to do that,” he said.
Msimanga also described Zille’s nomination as a turning point for the country’s economy.
Zille’s reaction to her nomination
Zillle acknowledged her nomination for the mayoral position, stressing the need for urgent intervention to restore effective governance in the city.
She said under the current leadership, Johannesburg symbolise the burden that bad government places on people.
Zille also shared on X post that local government is not about ideology and grand ideals, saying that it is about grand responsibility.
The DA leader further noted that local government is a front line of service delivery.
“Joburg residents need quality basic services. Water. Sewage. Roads. Electricity,” she stated.
ZIlle called on Johannesburg residents to join her in rebuilding the city and encouraged them not to lose hope.
