BY: TANA MALINGA
Helen Zille has unveiled a detailed manifesto outlining how she plans to tackle the deepening service delivery crisis in Johannesburg, placing the restoration of basic municipal services at the centre of her campaign.
The veteran politician and senior figure in the Democratic Alliance said the city’s problems stem largely from years of unstable coalition politics and weak governance. Johannesburg has seen a revolving door of leadership, with around 11 mayors in less than a decade — a situation Zille believes has severely disrupted long-term planning and service delivery.
Her manifesto focuses strongly on fixing the basics that residents rely on daily. Top priorities include restoring reliable water supply, stabilising electricity distribution, repairing damaged roads, improving sewage systems and ensuring consistent refuse collection across the metro.
A major part of the plan targets the city’s worsening water infrastructure crisis. Zille has proposed that revenue generated from water services be ring-fenced and used strictly for repairing and maintaining the ageing system, which has been blamed for frequent outages and shortages.
She also emphasised the need for stable governance and professional municipal management. According to Zille, stronger leadership and accountable administration are essential to implement reforms and rebuild public trust in the city’s institutions.
Beyond immediate repairs, her broader vision is to restore Johannesburg’s reputation as a well-run, globally competitive city with efficient infrastructure and reliable services.
With service delivery failures becoming one of the most pressing issues for residents, Zille’s manifesto positions governance reform and infrastructure recovery as key pillars in turning South Africa’s economic hub around.
