Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) leader Mzwanele Nyhontso warned Johannesburg residents not to vote for the Democratic Alliance’s Helen Zille as mayor, arguing during a manifesto launch in Soweto on Saturday, 29 August 2026, that her administration would only bring change for white people.
PAC Manifesto Launch and Mayoral Campaign Warnings
Speaking at the Soweto Amphitheatre in Jabulani ahead of the local government elections scheduled for 4 November, Nyhontso targeted Zille’s bid for the Johannesburg mayoral seat. According to SABC News coverage of the event, the PAC president explicitly told supporters not to grant what he termed “our oppressors the Johannesburg corridoor through the back door.” The rally marked the official unveiling of the party’s People’s Manifesto for the upcoming municipal polls.
To substantiate his warnings about the Democratic Alliance, Nyhontso pointed to the party’s governance of Cape Town. The PAC leader claimed that the lives of black residents in townships surrounding Cape Town, such as Philippi, have not improved, citing ongoing struggles with shacks and high levels of insecurity. “Don’t play with the idea that Cape Town is well run,” Nyhontso stated, according to verified reports from the scene.
State of Municipalities and Land Policy Priorities
Beyond the mayoral race, Nyhontso addressed broader systemic decay across South African municipalities, stating that many local administrations are wallowing in a state of utter hopelessness due to incompetence and corruption. He described a daily reality of dry taps, erratic or unavailable electricity, and long-dark street lights. Addressing land use, Nyhontso maintained that repossessed land should be used to benefit South Africans in need, arguing that land ownership is essential for human dignity and economic independence.
The party’s platform proposes that residential land be utilized for housing, schools, clinics, and small businesses to bring investment, entrepreneurship, and employment closer to local communities. The Johannesburg mayoral race is heating up ahead of November, with the PAC having previously announced Thami ka Plaatjie—who rejoined the party from the African National Congress—as its mayoral candidate. Meanwhile, the MK party announced Bongani Baloyi as its own Johannesburg mayoral candidate on Friday.
Did You Know? The PAC launched its local government election manifesto at the Soweto Amphitheatre on 29 August 2026, introducing Thami ka Plaatjie as its official Johannesburg mayoral candidate.
Expert Insight: Local government elections in major metropolitan areas like Johannesburg often hinge on service delivery debates and comparative municipal records. By contrasting local conditions with the DA’s track record in Cape Town, opposition parties aim to sway urban voters dissatisfied with infrastructure decay, water shortages, and erratic electricity supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are South Africa’s local government elections scheduled to take place?
The local government elections are scheduled for 4 November.
Who is the PAC’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg?
The PAC announced Thami ka Plaatjie, who rejoined the party from the African National Congress, as its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg.
What specific criticisms did Mzwanele Nyhontso level against the DA’s governance?
Nyhontso criticized the DA’s management of Cape Town, claiming that black residents in surrounding townships continue to live in shacks and experience high levels of insecurity, and argued that Zille will only bring change for white people.
What issues do you think will most heavily influence voter decisions in Johannesburg during the upcoming November local government elections?