EFF mayoral candidate puts dignity and hope at centre of Johannesburg vision after voting in Parkmore

Casting her vote at George Lea Park in Parkmore on November 4, EFF mayoral candidate for City of Johannesburg Tlaleng Mofokeng said she hoped Johannesburg residents would use their voices to choose a future built around dignity, meaningful service delivery and opportunities for communities that have long felt left behind.

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After weeks of campaigning, she described election day as a moment of excitement and relief, saying the EFF had put considerable effort into reaching residents and understanding their concerns. “It’s a good day, and it’s one of those that obviously culminates all of this hard work that we’ve put in, and a sense of relief as well, right? To know that we’ve fought and put up a formidable feat during this campaign as the Economic Freedom Fighters,” she said.

Mofokeng said her own candidacy had been less about traditional campaigning and more about showing up for residents and remaining connected to their everyday realities. “Today is their chance and their moment to make the choice. It’s no longer in my hands,” she said.

One of her messages on the day was directed at young people who have become disillusioned with politics and are questioning whether voting can bring meaningful change.

Acknowledging that many are disappointed and exhausted by circumstances that have made it difficult to imagine a better future, Mofokeng urged them not to surrender their democratic voice. “It’s the single most fundamental civic duty that we can all do. We’re only asking for people to do this every four years, so it’s very important to show up, but it’s also valid to recognise that people are exhausted.

“People are disappointed and dreams have been squashed. I always say during this campaign that many of us have learned to survive before we could dream and that’s why I’m here to bring hope.”

According to Mofokeng, restoring that hope means addressing the practical challenges that shape residents’ lives, from access to healthcare and safe recreational facilities to childcare services that allow women to participate more fully in the economy.
She said residents had raised different service delivery concerns during the campaign, highlighting how challenges varied from one community to another.

While some wanted the City of Johannesburg swimming pools reopened and ageing infrastructure repaired, others were concerned about the safety of their children and the lack of accessible spaces for sport, recreation and arts and culture.

She welcomed the excitement around the EFF’s 24-hour clinics and refurbishment initiatives but acknowledged that Johannesburg needed more healthcare facilities. “I think the other important thing is that people are genuinely just exhausted over bonding of what is decaying and what is breaking, and we’re allowing them to bond over a new vision of Johannesburg, but that places dignity in the centre.”

On the question of resources, Mofokeng challenged the perception that the city did not have enough money to address its problems. “The integrated development plan is budgeted. It’s because we are so used to this corruption, fruitless and wasteful expenditure that we legitimately walk around as citizens thinking resource is scarce,” she said.