Lesufi takes ‘old Ford Cortina’ jab at Zille as Joburg metro race heats up - News24
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi appeared to mock the DA and its Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille, during a door-to-door campaign in Alexandra on Wednesday.
Without mentioning the DA or Zille by name, Lesufi repeatedly referred to an “old Ford Cortina” – a jibe that drew knowing laughter and applause from ANC members who quickly identified it as a reference to Zille, who was known for driving the vintage vehicle.
“There is no old Ford Cortina that will run Johannesburg. There is no way that an old Ford Cortina will lead this metro. This metro will be led by the ANC,” Lesufi told volunteers.
The premier also hit back at what he described as opposition rhetoric.
“They’re telling people not to vote for small parties because small parties will not bring democracy. That is a sign of panic,” Lesufi said.
“They’ve been all over saying they are winning this metro. They’ve been all over saying they are leading this metro. Now that reality is reaching home, they are insulting other political parties, forgetting that they are part of being small as well.”
The remarks come as political parties intensify campaigning in the final days before the 4 November local government elections, in which Johannesburg is a key battleground between the ANC and DA.
Lesufi expressed confidence in the ANC’s ground campaign, claiming the party outpaced all rivals in door-to-door canvassing efforts.
“What we have done with door-to-door is amazing. We have reached more people than any other political party. You have seen that during the door-to-door process, there was no other political party. It was the African National Congress alone,” he said.
The premier praised the dedication of party volunteers, describing them as critical to its electoral prospects.
“We are nothing without you, comrades, volunteers. We are nothing without your commitment. We are nothing without your sacrifice,” Lesufi said.
He urged supporters to stay focused in the final five days of campaigning: “Hold on, say five days; the enemy, they can hear our footsteps. They can feel our footsteps.”
Lesufi also acknowledged the presence of the ANC’s deputy president, Paul Mashatile, who attended despite facing what the premier described as a “difficult moment”.
Mashatile came back from long sick leave to join the party’s campaign trail.
“He said: ‘I’m on the side of the African National Congress.’ He came out. He supported us. He continued to support us,” Lesufi said, assuring the deputy president that Johannesburg “remains the home of the ANC”.
The premier predicted the ANC would surprise its opponents with its electoral performance, suggesting the party’s grassroots work had gone undocumented by rivals.
“We are convinced that the work that we have done will surprise our enemies. We’ll surprise them because the work that we have done they can’t document it. The work that we have done, we know what we have done, and the African National Congress will come victorious,” he said.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality is a hotly contested political space, with both the ANC and DA viewing control of the city as crucial to their provincial and national standing.
Zille’s decision to run for the Johannesburg mayoral position marks a significant move by the DA, deploying one of its most high-profile figures to contest the metro.
The elections will determine control of municipalities across South Africa, with Johannesburg, Cape Town, and eThekwini among the most closely watched contests.
News24 surveyed 5,001 registered voters to reveal who leads, what voters want fixed, and which coalitions South Africans could support.
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