JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — As the local government elections approach, a record-shattering 82 political parties and over 70 Johannesburg mayoral candidates are vying for control of the City of Gold. According to University of the Free State local governance expert Dr. Harlan Cloete, this unprecedented surge in candidates presents a dual narrative: it is either a vibrant sign of a healthy, active democracy or a stark indication of the public’s lost faith in the city’s administration.
Johannesburg remains the economic heartbeat of South Africa, but it currently faces a multi-billion rand headache. The city is grappling with failing infrastructure, dry taps, hijacked buildings, and systemic billing chaos. Against this backdrop, the ballot paper reveals a dramatic shift in the political landscape. Alongside seasoned political heavyweights such as Helen Zille, Herman Mashaba, and Bongani Baloyi, the race now features a diverse array of podcasters, artists, commentators, and public figures stepping into the fray.
Dr. Cloete notes that the high number of candidates serves as a direct critique of the status quo. Over the last decade, the City of Johannesburg has suffered from fragile coalitions, a revolving door of mayors, and frequent motions of no confidence. This track record sends a strong signal to the electorate that political stability has been severely lacking.
While entering politics is relatively easy and represents a form of popular participation—sometimes attracting individuals seeking a pathway to the middle class amid high national unemployment—metropolitan governance is an entirely different challenge. Dr. Cloete emphasizes that the learning curve for local government is extremely steep, highly politicized, and complex. A new candidate, regardless of their outside expertise or academic background, typically requires three to five years just to understand how the municipal system works. Consequently, turning around the City of Johannesburg’s institutional culture and direction could take five to ten years.
The role of a city councilor is often misunderstood. Individually, councilors possess very little power. Collectively, however, they are responsible for policy-making and political oversight. This requires diligently reading extensive reports, asking the right questions, and, most importantly, ensuring the appointment of a competent, ethical, and credible municipal manager. It is ultimately the administrators and middle managers who keep local government functioning and implement policy.
The electoral landscape is also marked by the rise of smaller, community issue-based parties and independent candidates. While these groups often position themselves as alternatives to being controlled by national party headquarters, Dr. Cloete points out a mathematical reality: it is highly unlikely that smaller parties or independents will secure the 50 percent plus one majority needed to govern independently.
Because municipalities require a formed government to pass Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and budgets, these smaller entities frequently become kingmakers. They must align with larger parties to wield influence. However, when smaller parties gang up with the first or second largest parties, it can result in minority governments, which has historically fueled further political instability in Johannesburg.
Ultimately, Dr. Cloete advises that while voters are spoiled for choice in this electoral “beauty contest,” they must critically evaluate the track records of those making promises. History demonstrates that a proven record of delivering on past commitments is a far more reliable indicator of future municipal performance than new, untested pledges.
