The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has announced Mlungisi Mabaso, the current City of Johannesburg Human Settlements MMC, as its mayoral candidate for the upcoming local government elections. This move marks the first time the IFP has fielded a mayoral candidate in Johannesburg.
The announcement was made by IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa at the Jabulani Technical School in Soweto. Mabaso was appointed MMC for Human Settlements in the City of Johannesburg in 2024 by then mayor Kabelo Gwamanda.
Intensifying Mayoral Race
The race for the mayoral chain in the City of Johannesburg is intensifying, with several parties having already named their candidates. ActionSA has officially named party leader Herman Mashaba as its mayoral candidate, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) has selected former Western Cape premier and City of Cape Town mayor Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate.
According to the Government of South Africa website, the local government elections will be held on November 4, 2026. Johannesburg continues to face significant service delivery challenges, including water and electricity shortages, potholes, deteriorating infrastructure, uncollected refuse, and non-functioning streetlights and traffic signals.
Challenges Ahead
The African National Congress (ANC) has yet to confirm whether it will retain incumbent mayor Dada Morero or select a new candidate. Other political parties, such as the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and the Patriotic Alliance (PA), have also not announced their mayoral candidates.
Here are some of the key challenges facing the City of Johannesburg:
- Water and electricity shortages
- Potholes and deteriorating infrastructure
- Uncollected refuse and non-functioning streetlights and traffic signals
As the local government elections approach, the people of Johannesburg will be watching closely to see how the various parties and their candidates plan to address these challenges and improve the city’s services.
