SOUTH AFRICA7 AUG 2026Poet, provocateur, now mayoral hopefulSouth African poet, musician, and social activist Ntsiki Mazwai, known for her outspoken views, is now the Land Party’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg. She aims to bring…6 min read

After years of speaking about politics from the sidelines, Ntsiki Mazwai is asking Johannesburg residents to trust her to lead the city South African poet, musician, beadwork artist and social activist Ntsiki Mazwai has spent much of her public life speaking out on the issues shaping the country. Whether the conversation is about politics, race, culture or gender, she has rarely held back. Her views have made headlines, sparked debate and often divided opinion.

Love her or disagree with her, Mazwai has become one of South Africa’s most recognisable public voices. Now, she wants to test that influence in a different space. Mazwai is the Land Party’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, moving her from years of public debate to the front lines of local politics.

It is a move that asks: Can someone who has spent years challenging those in power become part of the system they once criticised? For Mazwai, the answer lies in her growing frustration with South Africa’s political leadership. She says there came a point when she no longer felt represented by the people asking for her vote.

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“I had run out of people to vote for,” she says. “The current political leaders have been a disappointment to me.” As many South Africans are disillusioned with politics, Mazwai also stopped voting. Looking back, she believes that decision also meant giving away her own power to influence change.

“The problem with not voting is that it gives away the power.” The Land Party had been approaching her for about two years before she agreed to become its mayoral candidate. Her decision comes as Johannesburg continues to face some of the biggest challenges of any city in the country. Residents regularly raise concerns about unreliable service delivery, ageing infrastructure, illegal dumping, hijacked buildings, rising electricity costs and a municipality that has struggled with political instability over the years.

It is in light of these issues that candidates are once again asking residents to trust them to lead the city. Mazwai believes what Johannesburg needs most is a different kind of leadership. Rather than presenting herself as a career politician, she says she wants to bring honesty, accountability and direct engagement into local government.

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