With the 2026 local government elections approaching, Ward 76 residents can get to know the candidates vying to represent their community. Meet the candidates, learn more about their priorities and find out what they hope to achieve if elected as ward councillor.

All candidates were invited to submit responses to questions. The responses published below are included here. This article will be updated as further candidates submit their responses.

The areas include parts of Alexandra and surrounding areas.

Zanele Portia Dubazana, an ActionSA candidate for Ward 76

In one sentence, who are you?
I am Zanele Portia Dubazana, born and raised in Alexandra, Ward 76, where I live with my family with no intention of moving. I use the same road, depend on the same services and face the same challenges as everyone else.

What are the biggest issues facing your ward currently?
Young people do not have enough recreational spaces. If we push to make sure that there are recreational activities happening, then we will have less drug addicts, and we will have more skills development.

What practical solutions would you prioritise should you be named councillor of your ward?
I will prioritise law and order to protect the community, access to jobs and opportunities for locals and serving the community with dignity. Issues such as broken street lights, dangerous potholes, sewer blockages and waste should not be accepted. I want us to start reclaiming our township economy by ensuring that all the spaza shops of undocumented foreign nationals are shut because I don’t believe that they are compliant. So, locals must be able to seize opportunities in the informal sector.

What is one misconception about you or your party that you would clarify?
Some people tend to believe that if there is a change of government, their Sassa grant will be halted, and they won’t receive vegetables anymore, but I want to say that residents will ex still continue getting whatever they used to get from the government, even if there is a change of government.

Should your party’s candidate be named mayor, what issue should they address first?
He should deal with unemployment and create job opportunities. He should also deal with the issue of drugs.

Mduduzi Kubheka Mawusa ward 76 councillor candidate

In one sentence, who are you?
My name is Mduduzi Kubheka, councilor candidate for Ward 76. I am a sailor. Nothing can stop me and nothing can impede me from achieving what I intend to do.

What are the biggest issues currently facing your ward?
Youth unemployment, blocked sewers, blocked storm water pipes, drugs and crime.

What practical solutions would you prioritise if named councillor of your ward?
Mobilise community. Bring all departments to consultant with the community to work on the service delivery issues that are a priority. IDP review and audit all departments expenditures.

What is one misconception about you or your party that you would like to clarify?
Mawusa Movement is born out from union and people think it will just end and disappear like other unions that transitioned from union to a political party. Mawusa Movement Party is a real organisation which brings accountability, transparency and is community driven. We stand one with the community.

In your opinion, if your party’s candidate is named mayor, which issue or issues should they address first?
Should our candidate be elected as a mayor, first priority is to review all wards IDPs, skills audits and financial audits in the city’s entities and projects. Then, together with residents of Johannesburg, to set priorities and monitor implementation.

Bafana Chauke Umkhonto weSizwe ward 76 coouncillor candiate

In one sentence, who are you?I am Bafana Chauke, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party councillor candidate for Ward 76, Alexandra East – a lifelong resident, community activist, and servant of the people committed to the people’s mandate.

What are the biggest issues currently facing your ward?Ward 76 is confronted by high unemployment, particularly among the youth, a severe human settlement backlog, the proliferation of illegal shacks and unregulated spaza shops, and the collapse of basic service delivery. In addition, municipal flats require urgent refurbishment, informal settlements need proper upgrading, the Jukskei River requires comprehensive rehabilitation, and car washes – which are a critical part of our local economy – need to be supported and formalised together with other SMMEs.

What practical solutions would you prioritise if named councillor of your ward?
a) Establishing a Ward 76 job desk to link residents to employment and skills opportunities,
b) Conducting a transparent audit of the housing waiting list,
c) Enforcing by-laws in a fair and consistent manner,
d) Improving service delivery around key community landmarks, and
e) Instituting monthly community report-backs to ensure accountability and transparency.

Ward 76 in Alexandra is defined by landmarks such as Three Square Grounds, Thusong Youth Centre, Bovet Primary School, Iphuteng Primary School, Ikage Primary School, our two ZCC churches, and our community feeding schemes – all of which we hold as a source of pride.

What is one misconception about you or your party that you would like to clarify?
The misconception is that uMkhonto weSizwe is concerned only with national politics. In Ward 76, our focus is local and practical: faith, community building, feeding schemes, basic service delivery, and putting the people of Alexandra first.

If your party’s candidate is named mayor, which issues should they address first?The first priorities must be to restore integrity through fighting corruption and strengthening accountability. This must be followed by the restoration of basic service delivery, support for faith-based tourism and community feeding schemes that already contribute to Ward 76’s development, rehabilitation of the Jukskei River, formalisation and support of car washes and SMMEs, and the urgent fixing of flats and informal settlements.

Mokgadi Mamanyowa, EFF Ward 76 councillor candidate

In one sentence, who are you?My name is Mokgadi Mamanyowa, ward community leader who lives in Ward 76.

What are the biggest issues currently facing your ward?Unemployment, Irregular delivery of basics like water, waste collection and electricity.

What practical solutions would you prioritise if named councillor of your ward?
Work with local businesses to create jobs opportunities and set regular feedback channel so that residents can know where to contact when service fails.

What is one misconception about you or your party that you would like to clarify?
They say we show up when it’s election only and they won’t benefit anything from us candidates, but I say that I am here all the time and my door will always be open to listen and help you.

In your opinion, if your party’s candidate is named mayor, which issue or issues should they address first?
First priorities must be delivering reliable basics service such as clean water, waste collections, well maintained roads, proper sanitation because every family depends on these to live with dignity.

Other candidates are encouraged to email the editor, Aimee McGill, at Aimeed@caxton.co.za.