As political parties gear up for South Africa’s local government elections on November 4, the African National Congress (ANC) is poised to reveal its candidate for the pivotal position of Johannesburg mayor. The race for the mayoral seat in Johannesburg is anticipated to be fiercely competitive, given its status as one of the nation’s key metropolitan municipalities. Currently, the city operates under an ANC-led coalition with Dada Morero at the helm as the executive mayor.
However, Morero’s prospects of being the ANC’s chosen mayoral candidate are uncertain following his loss of the Greater Johannesburg regional chairperson position in 2025. This development prompted the ANC to initiate a broader candidate-selection process, after a previous nomination did not align with the party’s national criteria. Among those vying for the candidacy, Reverend Frank Chikane has emerged as a prominent contender following interviews conducted by the party.
In contrast, other significant political parties have already finalized their mayoral candidates. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have put forward Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, while ActionSA has selected a familiar face, former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has opted for Helen Zille, who has previously held the roles of Cape Town mayor and Western Cape premier.
Additionally, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has nominated Mlungisi Mabaso for the mayoral race. Several other parties, including Rise Mzansi, Build One South Africa (BOSA), the Land Party, and Al Jama-ah, have also announced their respective candidates. The upcoming election is expected to place strong emphasis on critical issues such as service delivery, infrastructure, water, electricity, housing, crime, and local economic development.