WHO WANTS TO BE YOUR MAYOR?
The race to lead Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni is heating up ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. KAE News takes a look at the mayoral candidates announced by political parties, the possible ANC contenders, and the key issues likely to shape the election campaign.
A LOOK AT THE MAYORAL RACES IN JOHANNESBURG AND EKURHULENI
With the 2026 Local Government Elections set for 4 November 2026, political parties have begun unveiling the leaders they hope will become the next Executive Mayors of South Africa’s biggest metros.
For residents of Midrand (City of Johannesburg) Tembisa (City of Ekurhuleni) these elections will determine who leads the municipalities responsible for service delivery, infrastructure, finances and local development.
CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Several major political parties have already announced their mayoral candidates:
- ANC: Reverend Frank Chikane has emerged as the ANC’s potential mayoral candidate for Johannesburg. The ANC is expected to announce the candidate officially before July is over. It could also be current mayor Dada Morero or the current Deputy Mayor Loyiso Masuku.
- DA: Former DA leader Helen Zille will lead the party’s campaign for Johannesburg, promising to focus on service delivery, infrastructure and restoring the city. She is a former City of Cape Town mayor.
- ActionSA: Former Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba is ActionSA’s mayoral candidate, campaigning on crime, infrastructure, unemployment and municipal governance.
- EFF: The Economic Freedom Fighters have announced Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng as their Johannesburg mayoral candidate. She is the most qualified of all the party mayoral candidates. She holds a MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) from UKZN.
- IFP: Inkatha Freedom Party has announced Mlungisi Mabaso. He is the current MMC for Human Settlements.
- PA: Patriotic Alliance will field the current MMC for Transport in Johannesburg Kenny Kunene.
- RISE Mzansi: Political analyst Lukhona Mnguni will contest Johannesburg for RISE Mzansi, with a campaign centred on clean governance and rebuilding public trust.
- LAND: Newly formed party LAND has chosen Ntsiki Mazwai as its Mayoral Candidate for Johannesburg.
CITY OF EKURHULENI
The race for Ekurhuleni is also taking shape.
- ANC: The ANC currently governs Ekurhuleni under Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza. At the time of publication, the party had not publicly confirmed whether Xhakaza will remain its mayoral candidate for the election. Other hopefuls include the ANC regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi and former Ekurhuleni Mayor, Ntombi Mekgwe.
- Democratic Alliance (DA): The DA has announced Khathutshelo Rasilingwane as its mayoral candidate, promising “clean and competent governance”, improved service delivery and economic growth.
- EFF: The EFF has selected Nthabiseng Tshivhenga as its mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni.
- ActionSA: Sizok’thola host Xolani Khumalo is the candidate for City of Ekurhuleni.
The Mkhonto WeSizwe Party has not announced any mayoral candidates at the time publishing. The former President Jacob Zuma will probably have final decision.
Why these elections matter
The Executive Mayor oversees the municipality’s executive functions and works with the council to implement policies, approve budgets and drive service delivery.
Issues likely to dominate both campaigns include:
- Water supply
- Electricity
- Roads and infrastructure
- Waste collection
- Crime and public safety
- Job creation
- Housing and informal settlements
Residents of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni will head to the polls on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
KAE News will continue profiling candidates, explaining party manifestos and bringing residents updates throughout the KAE Votes 2026 election campaign.
