Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance and its Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille, are intensifying their campaign efforts as they seek to secure voter support ahead of this year’s local government elections.
Injecting humour into her campaign, Zille promised that while the DA could “zipline” residents out of sinkholes, the party would rather focus on fixing Johannesburg’s crumbling road infrastructure.
In a social media post under the banner Zille for Mayor, she quipped: “Sinkhole blocking your driveway? The DA will zipline you out. But we’d rather fix the road infrastructure. Give us the majority in council and WE WILL.”
Sinkhole blocking your driveway? The DA will zipline you out.🫡
But we’d rather fix the road infrastructure. Give us the majority in council and WE WILL. #BelieveInJoburg #Zille4Mayor pic.twitter.com/8yr5PR1IY9
— Zille for Mayor (@HelenZille4Jozi) April 27, 2026
Tagged with #BelieveInJoburg and #Zille4Mayor, the message signifies the DA’s emphasis on service delivery and infrastructure renewal as central themes of its campaign.
Johannesburg has faced mounting criticism over deteriorating roads, potholes, and sinkholes that have disrupted daily life and raised safety concerns. Zille’s post positions the DA as a party ready to tackle these issues head‑on if it secures a governing majority in the city council.
Campaign Spectacle
In a bold campaign designed to dramatise service delivery failures, Zille has taken to the streets – rafting through flooded roads, swimming in sinkholes and even playing tennis in overgrown weeds – turning everyday frustrations into a high‑profile political spectacle aimed at “making Joburg great again.”
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As parties intensify their messaging ahead of the municipal elections, infrastructure, service delivery, and governance are emerging as key battlegrounds in the race for Johannesburg.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
