The African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) have escalated their campaigns to secure Johannesburg’s mayoral seat, as the 2026 municipal elections approach on 4 November. The ANC has mandated that at least 70% of its candidates must have prior governmental experience, while the DA has named veteran leader Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate after her decisive by-election victory in Bryanston, which secured nearly 95% of the vote, according to party and media reports.

Candidate Selection And Strategic Positioning

The ANC’s National Executive Committee has formalised stricter selection criteria, requiring that most municipal candidates demonstrate previous experience in government. Eyewitness News reported this initiative aims to restore public confidence and present a more capable leadership slate after turbulent council coalitions in previous terms. Stella Ndabeni, representing the ANC NEC, told media the party remains confident in retaking Johannesburg, saying, “We are not scared. We are not scared because the ANC government was here earlier. The seat of Johannesburg was led by (Herman) Mashaba. When they took over from comrade Parks Tau, this municipality had huge results.”

The DA, meanwhile, has committed to a high-profile campaign centred on Helen Zille, unveiled as its mayoral candidate in September 2025. Following the Bryanston result on 27 February 2026, Zille is now positioned as a sitting city councillor and has pledged to pursue an outright DA majority. Speaking on the party’s strategy, Zille stated, “If they do that, we win an outright majority,” as reported by Business Day.

Political Context And Competitive Landscape

The 2026 elections unfold against increasing competition, with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) forming a dedicated election task force to expand its municipal influence. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officially launched the campaign in May 2026, emphasising heightened national attention on local governance. Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub, remains a key battleground, with multiple parties preparing robust campaigns in what is expected to be a closely contested poll.

Political analysts note that the ANC’s revised vetting criteria and the DA’s reliance on seasoned leadership reflect wider trends in South African urban politics, where voter expectations for stability and service delivery have intensified. The announcement of these respective strategies by Johannesburg’s major political parties signals a contentious campaign period with high stakes for municipal management and representation.

The next key event in the build-up to the elections will be the official publication of parties’ complete candidate lists and the IEC’s finalisation of voter registration data.