PRETORIA — As the 2026 local government elections approach, the political landscape in South Africa’s administrative capital is shifting with the official launch of Sarah Mabotsa’s Tshwane mayoral bid. Backed by a newly forged strategic cooperation framework between the GOOD Party and Rise Mzansi, the current Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Economic Development and Spatial Planning is stepping forward as a unified candidate promising sweeping reforms in municipal finance, job creation, and service delivery.
Mabotsa, who secured the GOOD Party’s sole proportional representation seat in the city during the 2021 municipal polls, was elevated to her executive MMC role in 2024 within Mayor Dr. Nasipi Moya’s multi-party coalition. Highlighting her executive track record, she noted that her department successfully attracted investment capital that surged from roughly 1 billion rand to an estimated 15 billion rand in under two years.
The core of her mayoral platform rests on aggressive economic expansion and spatial justice. If elected, she has committed to stabilizing the metro’s fiscal health, upgrading essential services, fostering a safer urban environment, and delivering on an ambitious target of 80,000 new jobs.
A major focal point of the joint announcement is a strict adherence to clean governance. Coalition representatives drew a sharp contrast between their ranks and other political factions currently under scrutiny at the Madlanga Commission. Emphasizing that neither Rise Mzansi nor the GOOD Party has had any members implicated in the state inquiry, leadership condemned the “politics of tenders” and corrupt practices, such as orchestrating land occupations to secure lucrative removal contracts under the guise of advocacy.
“We want new leadership that can demonstrate leadership but also raise the bar,” a coalition spokesperson stated, stressing that a mayor must possess unwavering values and principles rather than just being a new face in office.
Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi reinforced the coalition’s vision, stating that Mabotsa’s primary mandate will be inclusive governance, ensuring equitable representation so that no community is marginalized. Despite operating under this joint election banner to maximize their council footprint, both organizations confirmed they will retain their distinct political identities.
During a detailed policy interview, Mabotsa navigated questions about her transition from defending the current coalition administration to running for its top office. She acknowledged that while the metro has seen improvements—including verified funded budgets confirmed by the National Treasury and statutory audit bodies—the city must “rise” further to eradicate poverty. She argued that securing the mayor’s office is essential to scaling up job creation, noting that true economic dignity is the foundation of effective service delivery.
When questioned about a fellow coalition MMC who was recently dismissed following allegations of tender manipulation at the Madlanga Commission, Mabotsa maintained that the executive committee was blindsided by the revelations. She clarified that deployment and disciplinary decisions ultimately rest with party leadership, rather than individual committee members.
To proactively prevent future breaches and protect ratepayer funds, Mabotsa proposed a concrete, systemic fix: fully automating the municipality’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes. By digitizing the tracking of all procurement documents—specifically targeting the manipulation of tax clearance certificates—the city can eliminate the physical removal or alteration of files by corrupt officials.
Complementing the digital overhaul, Mabotsa pointed to a recently concluded municipal skills audit. This initiative will be used to “match and place” qualified professionals in critical finance and SCM departments, ensuring that the city’s administrative engine is run by competent experts. As the 2026 electoral battle lines are drawn, this joint ticket is banking on a blend of verifiable economic growth and rigid, tech-driven accountability to win over Tshwane’s voters.
