By Mapaballo Borotho
- Herman Mashaba has been announced as ActionSA’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg ahead of the 2026 local elections.
- The former mayor says he is returning to fix what he describes as corruption and incompetence in the city.
- He is set to contest the position against Helen Zille.
ActionSA leader, Herman Mashaba has been announced as the new mayoral candidate for the city of Johannesburg ahead of the 2026 local elections.
Mashaba was once the mayor of the city, representing the DA, between 2016 and 2019, and there have been calls for him to return.
He was elected as ActionSA’s mayoral candidate in the city on Saturday afternoon, 21 February 2026.
“I am stepping back into the ring to take back our city. Not for spectacle. Not for drama. But because this city needs a fighter who knows what it takes to win,” said Mashaba on Saturday.
He said this is the beginning of a campaign that aims to reclaim and fix the city of gold.
“Because, for South Africa to work, Johannesburg has to work! Reality is that Johannesburg’s collapse is not accidental. It is the direct consequence of the sickening corruption, blatant incompetence and failed politicians who care only about their own self-interest, not the lives of residents.
We must all reject the idea that Johannesburg cannot be fixed. This city is not broken beyond repair,” he said.
Mashaba will go up against the DA’s Federal Council chair, Helen Zille, for the mayoral seat in the city.
Meanwhile, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said last year that the ANC is not ready to announce its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, with current Joburg mayor Dada Morero and the party’s Johannesburg chairperson, Loyiso Masuku, not guaranteed to be selected.
READ NEXT: ActionSA rejects Ekurhuleni MMC appointment for Xolani Khumalo amid court battles
The post Herman Mashaba returns to contest Joburg mayoral race appeared first on KAYA 959.