‘Not the end of the world’ – Dada Morero unfazed as ANC weighs Joburg mayor decision

As the ANC prepares to choose its next Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Morero says he’s ready for any outcome, win or lose.

When political temperatures rise in Johannesburg, you can almost feel it in the air, the social media debates, the WhatsApp voice notes, the aunties discussing politics over Sunday pap and gravy. This week, that buzz settled firmly around Dada Morero, the City of Johannesburg mayor, who says life will go on even if he is not selected as the ANC’s next mayoral candidate.

Speaking at the ANC’s 16th regional elective conference in the north of Joburg, Morero kept his tone grounded far from defensive, and even slightly philosophical.

“If one is not nominated, it’s not the end of the world,” he told The Citizen. “I was not born a mayor. I was at the right place, having led the ANC. I have political credentials and work credentials the ANC said ‘come in’.”

For a man often associated with power corridors and city boardrooms, his comment felt refreshingly human. No panic. No drama. Just politics, done the old-fashioned way, with patience.

How the ANC chooses its mayors and why this one matters

While Joburg residents worry about power cuts, potholes and burst pipes, inside the ANC halls another battle is unfolding, the one for leadership.

Here’s how it works:

• The regional executive committee recommends candidates

• The mother body makes the final call

• Traditionally, the regional chairperson becomes mayoral candidate

But things are different this time. Rumours swirl that a national heavyweight could be parachuted into the role, a sign of how seriously the ANC views Johannesburg ahead of future elections.

Morero isn’t just waiting for a nomination he’s also contesting for regional chairperson against Loyiso Masuku, the outgoing deputy regional secretary. Around 300 delegates will cast their votes, and word from the floor is that the numbers remain neck-and-neck.

“It’s a contest,” Morero shrugged. “Every contender believes they are winning… we will see results tomorrow.”

No predictions. No campaigning chest-thumping. Just confidence that he’s done the work.

If he wins, unity becomes his biggest job

Morero isn’t blind to the reality facing the ANC the party has been losing ground in metros like Johannesburg, and rebuilding won’t be easy.

“The electoral decline is something we are worried about,” he admitted. After a major meeting at FNB Stadium, the party identified six key pillars to renew support. One stands out fixing the city’s crumbling infrastructure.

From failing sewage systems to pothole-riddled roads, Morero says maintenance budgets must increase if mayors want to turn municipalities around.

Because for ordinary Joburgers, a mayor isn’t judged by speeches, but by whether street lights work, water flows and trash gets collected on time.

Why this election feels different

For years, the ANC’s leadership choices in metros felt predictable. Not this time. The party’s declining support has forced introspection and younger voters are watching closely.

Social media reactions show a mix of hope, humour and skepticism:

• “As long as whoever wins fixes Joburg’s roads, I don’t care if it’s Morero or Mickey Mouse.”

• “Refreshing honesty from a politician. But we need results, not good quotes.”

• “Let the best candidate win. We want stability.”

If Morero loses, he seems ready to step aside gracefully. If he wins, he faces one of the toughest jobs in South African politics restoring trust in a city desperately craving efficiency and accountability.

Either way, Joburg awaits tomorrow’s results like one waits for a Soweto Derby, anxious, emotional, and very invested.

{Source: The Citizen}

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