Residents of Johannesburg,

It is a privilege for me to accept the nomination as your mayoral candidate for this great City.

Many of you may know me as an ex-Mayor and an ex-Premier. And also a mother and a Gogo.

But I’m putting up my hand as a daughter – a daughter of Johannesburg.

I was born and raised in this great City.

It is the place where I took my first breath, attended university and started my first job. I learned to drive a car on Joburg’s streets, and I fell in love here.

I fell in love with this city and all her people.

WATCH: Joburg’s people will never give up on her!

But, Joburg has become South Africa’s most devastating example of what bad government can do to great people.

The good news is that in a democracy, the people have more power than their government, if they will only use it. YOU can vote for change. YOU can evict a bad government and demand better. 

For every tale of decline and collapse in Johannesburg, there is an equal and opposite force of rebuilding and renewal by dedicated residents.  The force of their belief and energy will overcome the forces of despair. 

The greatest risk facing Joburg is that her people resign themselves to the path of failure, and give up on her promise.

All they need is a Mayor and Municipal government to get behind them, and be the catalyst for change. 

WATCH: We will wrestle our city back from a criminal mafia, and return her to those who love her.

Joburg’s people will never give up on her, and I am one of them.

We will not let Joburg’s taps stay dry. We won’t accept brokenness as the new normal.

It is literally now or never.

Let the forces for good in this city unite to save it from the forces for bad.

Let’s put the darkness behind us.  Together we can make the City of Gold shine on our country, our continent, and all of the world.

Helen Zille

DA Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate