The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has unveiled Mlungisi Mabaso as its candidate for Johannesburg mayor ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
Mabaso, who currently serves as a councillor and Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for housing in the City of Johannesburg, joined discussions to outline the party’s vision for the troubled metro. He highlighted the IFP’s 10-point rescue plan, naming his top three priorities as jobs and economic recovery, infrastructure development and maintenance, and restoring law and order.
“Johannesburg is an economic hub and majority of the residents that find themselves in the city of Johannesburg are here seeking economic opportunities and employment opportunities,” Mabaso said. He stressed that economic growth requires investment in infrastructure, including roads, water, energy, housing, upgrading of informal settlements, and addressing informality. On safety, he noted that government must ensure communities and businesses are protected to attract investors.
Addressing his current housing portfolio, Mabaso pointed to ongoing interventions despite a housing backlog dating back to 1996. Key projects include the Southern Farms mega project with potential for 43,000 housing opportunities and the Lufhereng mega development aimed at tackling the backlog in Soweto, Johannesburg’s largest township. He also described daily work in informal settlements involving electrification, service provision, and a new policy for managing informality.
Additional initiatives include installing solar high masts with cameras and Wi-Fi in informal settlements for safety and connectivity, and tabling reports on human settlements strategies for areas such as Alexandra and Region A.
A major focus for Mabaso is the redevelopment of hostels. He explained that the strategy seeks to eradicate outdated apartheid-era planning and architecture, converting hostels into family units through integrated developments that include commercial components on prime land. A socio-economic study will first profile residents to guide appropriate housing delivery. Mabaso noted that hostel leadership has been engaged, and a program manager is expected to be appointed to drive the initiative.
Mabaso, who grew up in a Durban hostel, emphasised the IFP’s long-standing advocacy on this issue. “The IFP has been the only organization that has represented the plight of the residents of the hostels and we’ve been very vocal about the redevelopment of hostels,” he said, referencing 2007 protests and a memorandum calling for conversion to family units and better integration into the city.
At 36 years old, Mabaso was asked about his relative youth in a contest that may include more experienced candidates. He countered that the city’s challenges stem from leadership by older figures. “It collapsed under the leadership of senior and old people. That’s why we find ourselves in this state in Johannesburg,” he argued, suggesting a need for new thinking.
On governance, Mabaso acknowledged that good governance and integrity are major issues in Johannesburg. He described a fragmented system with leakages, corruption, officials reconnecting disconnected accounts without payment, and individuals clearing debts for kickbacks. Mabaso said he has personally referred multiple cases to the city’s forensic investigation unit and continues to push for investigations alongside the mayor and city manager to root out corruption and improve revenue collection.
Mabaso expressed confidence in the IFP’s platform to address Johannesburg’s longstanding challenges, particularly for hostel communities.
