Lukhona Mnguni speaks out: Helen Zille, Joburg crisis, coalitions, Floyd Shivambu, 2026 election

Lukhona Mnguni returns to SMWX for a conversation with Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh about his campaign to become Johannesburg’s mayor and Rise Mzansi’s plans to rebuild the city. Drawing on stories from the campaign trail, he discusses the everyday corruption, crime and water shortages affecting residents, and why so many are losing faith in politics. He outlines proposals to stabilise municipal finances, make procurement transparent, repair water infrastructure and establish an investment fund that gives residents a stake in the city’s recovery, alongside ward-level budgets to strengthen community participation. Turning to the battle for City Hall, Mnguni explains why he believes Helen Zille is unlikely to become mayor, sets out Rise Mzansi’s conditions for a stable coalition and challenges Floyd Shivambu’s proposal that the largest party should automatically take the mayoralty. At the heart of the discussion is whether Johannesburg’s next government can move beyond political deal-making to restore services, accountability and public trust