ANC Women’s League Blasts DA’s Helen Zille as Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate: “Astounding and Deeply Hypocritical”
The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) has come out guns blazing against the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) choice of Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg. In a strong statement, the league called the move a slap in the face to inclusivity and unity, pointing to Zille’s past comments and what they see as a history of favouring white privilege. This backlash heats up the race ahead of the 2026 local government elections, where the DA aims to challenge the ANC’s hold on key cities. Zille, a long-time DA bigwig, was named last weekend, sharpening the battle lines in South Africa’s economic hub.
As the country marks Heritage Day on 24 September 2025, celebrating our rich mix of cultures, the ANCWL’s words highlight ongoing tensions over who best represents Johannesburg’s diverse people. The city, home to millions chasing better lives, has seen service woes like water cuts and bad roads under ANC rule, giving the DA ammo to push for change. But the league argues Zille’s track record makes her the wrong pick for a city that needs fair governance for all.
ANCWL’s Strong Condemnation: Zille’s Past Under Fire
In their statement, the ANCWL expressed shock at the DA’s pick. “Johannesburg is a cosmopolitan metropolis of the African continent, home to millions seeking economic opportunity,” they said. “The only proven track record to be attributed to the DA is its inherent disregard for transformation, and its political conviction remains that of the protection of White privilege and supremacy.
“The DA and its Johannesburg Mayoral candidate are disingenuous in their promise for service delivery, and the only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy.”
They zeroed in on Zille’s 2012 tweet calling Eastern Cape migrants to the Western Cape “refugees,” seeing it as xenophobic and against unity. “These utterances not only undermined the compass of our constitutional democracy but confirmed the DA policy of exclusionism which is characterised by prejudice and collective hatred for Black people,” the league added.
The ANCWL also hit at Zille’s time as Western Cape Premier, pointing to areas like Du Noon and Blikkiesdorp as proof of failure for African and Coloured communities. “Infrastructure like water, electricity, and road maintenance cannot be promised by someone who has failed to deliver the same in historically marginalised areas,” they stated.
DA’s Response and Zille’s Campaign Focus
The DA has stood by Zille, calling her a proven leader ready to fix Johannesburg’s mess. In a recent SMWX interview, Zille outlined her plans, starting with water as a top human right and vowing to root out corruption through forensic audits. She sees the city as key to saving South Africa: “South Africa can’t work unless Joburg works.”
DA leaders like John Steenhuisen have praised her experience, but critics within and outside the party question if her past comments will hurt votes in a diverse city. The ANC, through figures like Joburg Mayor Dada Morero, brushed off the threat: “The ANC is unfazed by the DA’s choice of Helen Zille as their mayoral candidate.”
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