AS PART OF her campaign to become mayor of Johannesburg, Helen Zille has snorkelled in a water-filled pothole. She has directed cars when power cuts turned off traffic lights. She has paddled down a flooded street.
The candidate from the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s second-biggest party, has taken an old BMW “spinning”, a popular pursuit in the city’s black townships. The 75-year-old grandmother has stepped up to a turntable (pictured) and been dubbed “DJ Gogo”.
Polls suggest the once hegemonic party will have its worst showing in a nationwide election since the end of white rule in 1994. Based on her experience running Cape Town from 2006 to 2009, she pledges to get a grip on the finances, appoint leaders to city agencies on merit and root out corruption. In a survey published in April, 70% agreed that politicians use race and colonialism as an excuse for their own failures.
These were stunts with a purpose. Ahead of local elections on November 4th Ms Zille wants to highlight the decay of the commercial capital under a coalition led by the African National Congress (ANC). Meanwhile Ms Zille could soon be the first white mayor of post-apartheid Johannesburg. Such a result would underline the decline of the party of Nelson Mandela—and perhaps point to the beginnings of a less racialised politics. Will she get them? Most former ANC supporters either do not vote or opt for an opposition party other than the DA. UmKhonto we Sizwe (MK), led by Jacob Zuma, a former president, targets Zulus, the largest ethnic group. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is another black-nationalist party. Other urban voters are attracted by ActionSA, whose appeal is based partly on its ability to exploit concerns about illegal immigration. The shift away from the ANC suggests that politics is beginning to catch up with society. Most South Africans say they do not mind the race of their neighbour, their sons- or daughters-in-law or the president.
“This is our last chance to save Johannesburg,” argues Ms Zille. “A country without order is headed for disaster,” says Sanele Bhagathi, a voter from Johannesburg.
