DA mayoral candidates pledge to repair Gauteng cities
The Democratic Alliance has positioned Gauteng’s three metropolitan municipalities—Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni—as central to South Africa’s November 4 local government elections. Its mayoral candidates have committed to reversing years of service delivery failures and mismanagement that occurred under the ruling African National Congress and its coalition partners.
Johannesburg: A city on the brink, but not beyond repair
Helen Zille, the DA’s candidate for Johannesburg mayor, called the city’s condition devastating. She cited dry taps, unlit streets, burst water pipes, and businesses struggling to survive. Recovery remains possible with competent leadership, she stated.
“Engineers must run engineering services. Financial experts must manage the finances. Electricians must secure our grid,” Zille said. She promised to handle residents’ money honestly and reinvest revenue directly into essential services rather than diverting funds.
Their plan includes replacing aging water infrastructure, repairing roads, securing reservoirs, and strengthening the electricity grid. Zille also pledged to modernize city governance by using real-time data to track service delivery and allow residents to report faults.
Related: Vietnam’s middle class reshapes consumer markets
Rebuilding will take five years, she acknowledged. “We cannot fix Joburg in a day. But every day we can make progress. And we will.” From the start, the DA would focus on restoring law and order, trust, and civic pride—no temporary administration, but one determined to hold corrupt officials accountable.
Tshwane: A reckoning for corruption and tenderpreneurs
In the capital, DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink described the election as an opportunity to reclaim the city. He referenced lessons from past successes and failures, vowing to eliminate corruption through targeted measures.
“We know each of those names mentioned at the Madlanga commission in relation to Tshwane,” Brink said. “We understand what they have been doing, and we are coming for them. Comrades, you can start packing.”
Their strategy involves removing corrupt officials and replacing them with professionals. Brink warned of resistance from those who benefited from the city’s dysfunction, stressing the need for a strong mandate to implement reforms. “Once we protect income for services, bring in private sector expertise, and use performance-based contracts, opposition will intensify,” he said.
A decisive victory would help the DA overcome challenges and restore Tshwane’s functionality.
Ekurhuleni: Crime and corruption as two sides of the same coin
In Ekurhuleni, DA mayoral candidate Khathu Rasilinjgwane said, “Every stolen rand has become another broken streetlight. Every corrupt tender has become another pothole. Every political favour has become another family living in fear.”
The focus on public safety addresses Ekurhuleni’s long-standing challenges. The metro has struggled with high crime rates and under-resourced policing.
The candidates acknowledged their plans would face resistance. Zille warned of entrenched interests in Johannesburg, Brink of political pushback in Tshwane. The DA’s campaign depends on convincing voters that this time, the party can govern effectively.
“The people of Joburg have not given up on their city,” Zille said. “Neither have we.”
Related Articles
Property Ledger 
