As South Africa gears up for the upcoming municipal elections, political manoeuvring is beginning to intensify in Johannesburg, with parties gradually revealing their strategies and potential candidates.
President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed this week that voters will head to the polls on 4 November, officially setting the stage for what is expected to be a fiercely contested local government election. So far, most parties have remained tight-lipped about their mayoral picks.
Among the most visible contenders is Helen Zille of the Democratic Alliance (DA), who has already launched a high-profile campaign spotlighting service delivery challenges across Johannesburg through a series of attention-grabbing videos.
MK Party Eyes Bongani Baloyi As Potential Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate
Behind the scenes, however, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is reportedly weighing up a notable name to enter the race. According to insiders, former Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi is being backed by influential figures within the party.
Baloyi, once regarded as a rising star within the DA, made history in 2013 when he became South Africa’s youngest mayor at just 26 years old. His leadership in Midvaal earned him recognition for governance and service delivery improvements.
While the MK Party has not formally confirmed its candidate, internal support for Baloyi appears to be strong.
“Bongani is competent and highly intelligent. He’s been a mayor before, he’s got experience. He’s definitely a good comrade,” a senior MK party member told the Sunday Times.
Despite the growing speculation, Baloyi has reportedly avoided stepping into the spotlight prematurely, and party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela has declined to confirm the rumours.
“We are not going to do the Hollywood style of announcing big names. It must be organic. It must be the communities who must lead them as councillors and ultimately their mayor,” Ndhlela told the publication.
Bongani Baloyi’s Political Journey From DA Leadership To MK Party
Baloyi’s political path has seen several shifts over the past few years. He parted ways with the DA in 2021 after a decade in politics, following what the party described as a successful tenure in Midvaal.
“Bongani has served the DA and the people of Midvaal municipality excellently over the years. We have noted that Bongani is pursuing other opportunities after a decade-long career in politics. We wish him well and throw our support fully behind him,” the DA said at the time.
In 2023, Baloyi launched his own political party, though it was later deregistered. He went on to join the MK Party in September 2024, signalling a new chapter in his political career.
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“For us we have found a home. uMkhonto resonates with us,” said Baloyi upon joining the party.
During his time as mayor, Baloyi was credited with initiating international trade links, including partnerships with a Chinese city, expanding community food gardening programmes, and improving administrative turnaround times for land-use applications.
