Cape Town – Helen Zille’s bid to run for the position of Mayor of Johannesburg has sparked sharp criticism from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MPs, who have publicly questioned her age and capacity to lead the city.
EFF MP Sihle Lonzi took aim at Zille’s age on X, stating: “Zille is visibly old, tired and frail. Which makes sense because she is a 75-year-old PENSIONER. There is no amount of PAID media that can change that fact. Helen must go spend quality time with her grandchildren”
Helen Zille is visibly OLD, TIRED and FRAIL. Which makes sense because she is a 75 year old PENSIONER.
There is no amount of PAID media that can change that FACT.
Helen must go spend quality time with her grandchildren. There is no Johannesburg that will be FIXED by a Granny! https://t.co/gVRt4vfwJc
— Sihle Lonzi (@SihleLonzi) August 27, 2025
Echoing a similar sentiment, Sinawo Thambo, the EFF’s national convener of the youth command, also questioned Zille’s suitability for the role.
He wrote: “Why must everyone retire at 65 years old, but old people with arthritis can contest to lead a world-class city? Why is this normal? This is self-hate.”
Thambo added a pointed critique of the media’s role, asserting that “No amount of money should allow you to promote a person on the edge of confusion due to age to lead Joburg … Respect yourselves – even if NASPERS and Rupert force you to endorse dementia to lead Joburg.”
Why is it normal to talk about a 75-year old Helen Zille as a Mayor of Johannesburg?
Johannesburg ought to be the most innovative and vibrant City in Africa, why is it even logical to put Helen Zille in a conversation to lead a City like this?
Why must everyone retire at…
— Sinawo Thambo (@Sinawo_Thambo) August 27, 2025
Reporting from IOL notes that Zille warned against political fragmentation, arguing that only major parties can govern the city effectively. She stated: “There are only two parties that are big enough to take Johannesburg. One is the ANC and one is the DA.
She cautioned against vote-splitting, saying: “If they’re going to split their vote amongst all sorts of tiny little parties, then you’re going to have these incredibly unstable coalitions and you’re going to have musical mayors.”
Zille added pointedly: “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain, can you? You can’t complain that the whole city is collapsing and say that you didn’t vote for whatever personal reason you might have had.”
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Picture: X/@Our_DA
Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
