Helen Zille has given the green light to run as the Democratic Alliance (DA) Johannesburg Mayoral candidate.
Here is a look at who is backing Jozi’s potential future first lady…
HELEN ZILLE SAYS YES TO JOBURG MAYOR CAMPAIGN
On Saturday, 20 September, Helen Zille announced her bid to run as the DA’s Johannesburg Mayoral candidate in the 2026 election.
The 74-year-old posted on her X platform: “Joburg’s people will never give up on her, and I am one of them! It is a privilege to accept the nomination as a mayoral candidate for this great city.
She added: “We will not let taps stay dry. We won’t accept brokenness. We will wrestle Jozi back from a criminal mafia”.
Helen Zille was born in Johannesburg in 1951 to German-Jewish immigrant parents.
She told eNCA, “Joburg is my hometown. I was born in Hillbrow, which looks very different from what it does today. Joburg was a functional city that I love and believe is the powerhouse of South Africa. Its health and functionality are make or break for South Africa.”
She added: “If Joburg doesn’t succeed, South Africa does not succeed.”
MEET HER HUSBAND, FAMILY
Before agreeing to run for Johannesburg mayor, Helen Zille told the media that she would consult with her family, which is based in Cape Town.
Helen is married to retired professor Johann Maree, who has a PhD in sociology from the University of Cape Town. The couple married in 1982.
The couple have two sons together; Paul and Thomas.
Paul, who married Gretl Visser in 2014 – is a mathematics teacher and founder of Paper Video, an organisation that distributes educational resources to students around the country.
He’s also a member of Beams, a music band that has played at several of Cape Town’s hot spots. Thomas is a digital marketing manager and has worked for Showmax and CNBC Africa. He bears a striking resemblance to his mother.
Helen Zille is also a grandmother to Mila, the daughter of Paul and Gretl.
“She is delightful,” Helen tweeted in 2017.