Soweto residents unimpressed by ‘sgebengu’ Zille’s river rafting

A screenshot of Helen Zille river rafting in Soweto. Picture: X / @HelenZille4Jozi Commuters in Soweto provided a contrasting reaction to those in the city’s northern suburbs, following Helen Zille’s latest service delivery adventure. The DA’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg was in Soweto earlier this week to highlight the issue of damaged infrastructure flooding the city’s streets.

However, as with the large hole where Zille went snorkelling in Douglasdale a few weeks ago, municipal crews were soon on site to address the problem. Zille’s campaign yesterday released a video of the 75-year-old “gogo” in an inflatable raft paddling up a flooded street in Soweto. A common sight throughout the city, damaged pipes and blocked drains create pools of water that turn streets and sidewalks into inaccessible rivers.

Zille’s campaign used the moment to highlight the city’s lack of investment in essential infrastructure. “In the 2025/26 financial year, the City of Joburg only spent 26% of their capital budget. “That means money that was supposed to be invested in critical projects, such as stormwater infrastructure, was either stolen or mismanaged,” Zille’s team stated. That means money that was supposed to be invested in critical projects, such as stormwater infrastructure, was either stolen or mismanaged.You can change this by registering to vote for a…pic.twitter.com/l7yyme3GKo