Helen Zille, the Democratic Alliance (DA) candidate for mayor of Johannesburg, has announced a strict boundary regarding potential political partnerships. Zille stated this week that she will not work with the ANC, EFF, or the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party if she assumes the mayoralty.
Narrowing Coalition Options
By ruling out several major players, Zille has significantly limited the DA’s potential coalition partners. The remaining viable options include ActionSA, the Freedom Front Plus, the Patriotic Alliance, as well as various ratepayers associations and smaller parties.
This strategic positioning comes as the DA attempts to recover from the 2021 municipal elections, where the party did not perform as expected. Zille has framed those losses as a “temporary glitch” and believes that some lost voters will return for the 2026 local government elections.
Tensions with ActionSA
Despite being a potential partner, there is significant friction between Zille and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba. Mashaba has used online commentary to take digs at the DA, suggesting that ActionSA will capture more votes from the party.
Zille has responded by questioning the organizational depth of ActionSA, asserting that the DA is a functional party with a national footprint and elected leadership, which she claims ActionSA lacks. She also noted that during Mashaba’s tenure as mayor of Johannesburg, he became known as the “EFF mayor.”
Netnographer Carmen Murray noted that Mashaba’s online tone is perceived as “EFFLite” and suggested that the numbers indicate a decline for ActionSA after its initial entry as a disruptor five years ago.
The Battle for Governance
Zille has positioned the 2026 elections as a choice regarding governance rather than ideology, arguing that the current state of Johannesburg serves as evidence. She stated, “This election is about saving our cities. And the DA has a track record of doing that.”
ActionSA’s Athol Trollip has rejected the idea that the party is on shaky ground, claiming their primary support comes from non-voters or disillusioned ANC voters rather than former DA supporters. Trollip cited performance in Tshwane as proof of their governance credentials.
Trollip emphasized that ActionSA would not enter coalitions lightly. He stated they would only choose partners aligned with values such as service delivery, tackling corruption and addressing the illicit economy and undocumented immigration.
Fragmented Political Landscape
The DA also faces pressure from the Freedom Front Plus. Party leader Corné Mulder claims the party is seeing steady growth by attracting DA voters who are seeking clearer direction, which could allow them to act as a coalition kingmaker.
Regarding the possibility of instability, Zille argued that the outcome depends on the voters. She suggested that voters must decide if they seek chaos or if they wish to grant the DA a clear mandate.
Both the DA and ActionSA have dismissed the MK party as unstable, further narrowing the path to a stable governing majority in Johannesburg.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which parties has Helen Zille ruled out for a coalition?
Helen Zille has stated she will not work with the ANC, EFF, or the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
How does ActionSA view its current political standing?
Athol Trollip of ActionSA rejects claims of decline, stating the party is proud of its six seats and believes its success in Tshwane will create momentum across Gauteng.
What is the DA’s perspective on the 2021 municipal election results?
The DA frames the 2021 losses as a temporary glitch rather than a long-term decline and believes that some lost voters will return in 2026.
Do you believe a limited list of coalition partners will lead to more stable city governance or increased political deadlock?
