IFP’s Mlungisi Mabaso urges government to expand home-buying support in Johannesburg

Mlungisi Mabaso, the Inkatha Freedom Party’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, has urged changes to government housing support so more people can buy homes in the city.

Call to raise subsidy and finance thresholds

According to The Citizen, Mabaso said the income threshold for those eligible for a fully subsidised government house must be increased and that the party’s policy provides for such a change. He told The Citizen that the party’s First Home Finance policy needs review and argued that someone earning R23 000 should be eligible for assistance, adding that the threshold should be risen to R25 000.

Housing and hostel plans

According to The Citizen, Mabaso said the city has developed a hostel redevelopment strategy to guide future projects. He described the strategy as including upgrades to infrastructure, introducing family units into hostel communities and creating economic opportunities around those developments.

Campaign context and priorities

According to The Citizen, Mabaso joined The Citizen’s The Movement podcast, hosted by Itumeleng Mafisa, to discuss his campaign and vision for Johannesburg. The Citizen reports that the IFP selected Mabaso as its mayoral candidate ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

Mabaso framed the party’s bid for Johannesburg around improving governance and service delivery. He said the IFP wants to win the city outright but would engage with other parties if coalition negotiations became necessary. Mabaso described the party’s focus as prioritising service delivery rather than political ideology.

Experience and accountability

Mabaso highlighted his experience in Johannesburg government and said it taught him how government processes operate and the importance of holding officials accountable. He credited a former mayor with helping him understand government finances and executive responsibilities and said one key lesson was that public money must improve residents’ lives.

Migration, jobs and services

Mabaso told The Citizen that government must take greater responsibility for addressing illegal migration and that South Africans should receive priority for jobs and public services while allowing skilled migrants to contribute and transfer skills locally.

Quote on subsidy policy

“The income bracket for those who are eligible for a fully-subsidised house from government must be increased. That is provided for in the policies of the IFP. Our policy around the First Home Finance has to be reviewed as well. You cannot say that someone who owns R23 000 must not be assisted by government. At least that threshold has to be risen to R25 000.”

Production credits: Podcast producer: Caslian Scott; Camera operator: Caslian Scott; Video editor: Shaun Holland.

Source: According to The Citizen, reporting published on 2 September 2026.