Johannesburg — Former political commentator and activist Lukhona Mnguni has announced his candidacy for Johannesburg mayor as the official candidate of Rise Mzansi.
Mnguni stated that the city has “lost its soul” and is being run by gangsters, describing it as an unsafe place marked by anxiety, substance abuse, and a breakdown in the social fabric. He pledged to restore governance, accountability, and public trust if elected in the local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.
Speaking about his decision to move from commentator to candidate, Mnguni said: “In the life of any country, there comes a time when the collapse of systems poses a real threat to the life of the citizens.” He warned that Johannesburg is approaching a point of no return but believes it can still be cleaned up in terms of governance, environmental management, and restoring the city’s soul.
Mnguni highlighted his extensive background in research, consulting, and work with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). He has also served on boards of organisations, which he says equips him with a clear understanding of local government challenges, particularly in Johannesburg. He emphasised the need for firm, visionary, energetic, and consensus-building leadership suitable for a coalition environment.
He drew comparisons with other cities, noting that Cape Town has a DA mayor and Tshwane has an ActionSA mayor from his generation, questioning why Johannesburg could not produce similar leadership.
Mnguni acknowledged that the mayoral position has been described as a “poison chalice” due to high turnover and past instability. He noted that three mayors had died in office and referenced the involvement of Al Jama-ah in temporary arrangements amid ANC internal challenges. He predicted that the ANC would be too small after the upcoming elections to be a deciding factor in the city’s governance.
On the contentious issue of illegally occupied buildings, Mnguni said he plans to engage civil society organisations during his campaign to find middle ground. He stressed that building hijackers must be identified and arrested through partnerships with the South African Police Service, State Security Agency, and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department. For affected residents who are victims of syndicates, he proposed differentiated approaches: sealing some buildings, renovating others while occupants remain, and addressing sanitation issues. He added that evictions may be necessary in some cases but should be paired with alternative accommodation, especially for large-scale occupations.
Regarding the Soweto electricity debt crisis with Eskom, Mnguni said he would engage directly with community structures and Eskom leadership. He noted various community proposals, including partial debt forgiveness combined with a new payment regime or a flat rate for electricity. He acknowledged the strain on infrastructure and the risk of protests, saying leadership requires engaging all residents rather than refusing dialogue.
On municipal wages and the city’s financial pressures, Mnguni stated that municipal workers are not the enemy and are themselves residents affected by the city’s challenges. He said the wage deal was necessary but its rollout has left some workers without salary progression or adjustments. He indicated he would study internal documents and seek fair resolutions without scrapping the agreement outright, learning from Tshwane’s more measured approach. He plans a “people-to-people campaign,” including outreach to unions such as SAMWU.
Mnguni will campaign over the next five months, focusing on building consensus across political parties, civil society, and spheres of government.
