eThekwini mayoral race heats up as parties unveil big-name candidates
The eThekwini metro is emerging as a key battleground ahead of the local government elections.
The eThekwini metro is expected to be one of the most hotly contested municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, with several political parties fielding high-profile mayoral candidates ahead of the local government elections.
The municipality has faced a lot of criticism over the delivery of services, with water challenges often at the top of residents' grievances.
Parties reveal candidates
Several political parties are offering what they call an alternative to the current coalition government.
Since 2021, KZN's only metro has been run under a coalition arrangement and has had two mayors and other changes to the executive.
The emergence of the MK Party during the 2024 general elections has also upped the ante for the upcoming municipal polls.
Several parties have put forward who they believe are their best candidates.
The DA got an early start, selecting former MP Haniff Hoosen as its eThekwini mayoral candidate almost a year ago.
Action SA has named its KZN chairperson, Zwakele Mncwango, as its hopeful, while the EFF has tapped its founding deputy secretary-general and MP, Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi, as its woman for the job.
ANC has five candidates in the running
The ANC has taken a different approach. The party has presented five possible candidates while it decides who will eventually go in to bat for the organisation in eThekwini.
The shortlist includes current Mayor Cyril Xaba, current Speaker Thabani Nyawose, former KZN premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, former MP Mina Soma-Lesoma and ANC veteran Maggie Govender.
Last week, the MK Party revealed Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi as its mayoral candidate.
On Monday, the IFP added to the list by nominating its national spokesperson and deputy minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
Each party is making its pitch to voters, in the hope of winning full control of the metro or enough support to secure bargaining power.
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