Global Africa, This Victory Belongs to You: Zohran Mamdani's Historic NYC Win

Zohran Mamdani made history on Tuesday, November 4th, winning the New York City (NYC) mayoral race against former state Governor Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani is the youngest mayor of New York City since 1892 and the first Muslim mayor in the city’s history. Born in Uganda, making him the first NYC mayor born in Africa, Mamdani’s win marks a turning point in US politics and emerges in direct response to the divisive and authoritarian Trump administration. NYC is multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-lingual, multi ethnic and sexually diverse, with the largest numbers of gays, same gender relations, and transgender persons.

A self-described Democratic Socialist, Mamdani ran on an electoral platform that consisted of policies aimed at supporting the working class, including but not limited to free public transportation and an increase in affordable housing for New Yorkers. Mamdani's triumph in the heart of the global capitalist system marks a departure from the previous platforms of US politicians and has been spurred on by an excited base who appreciates his commitment to diversity and the working class. Pambazuka News recognizes his decisive win and congratulates the voters of New York City for rejecting the Islamophobic, racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric spewed by his opposition. 

Mamdani’s win reaffirms the values of integrity and people-centered politics and offers hope for the future of global politics. Pambazuka News views his victory as a triumph for Global Africa - a testament to the universal struggle for social justice, equality and the liberation of oppressed people everywhere. 

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's campaign aligns deeply with the Pan-African struggle, and we recognize the following successes from his campaign: 

1. Mobilizing the people of New York City. 

   Mamdani's campaign focused on the working class and his intended policies will support them and not corporate elites. He was able to connect with people from all industries, economic backgrounds, genders, races, and religious backgrounds by running on a platform of courage and solidarity resulting in the highest voter turnout for the city since 1969. 

2. His sharp condemnation of the Israeli genocide and advocacy for the liberation of Palestinian peoples. 

   The mayor-elect has been extremely outspoken about the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli government and has pledged to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu should he enter New York City. This marks a sharp departure from mainstream US politics and aligns with the politics of dignity and self-determination that are foundational to Pan-African ideology.

3. His courage in the face of intimidation and capital influence. 

   Mamdani did not back down in the face of threats from President Trump and billionaires who thought they could buy the election. He received no donations from traditional financial backers or corporations, instead relying on donations from everyday people and grassroots organizers. Mamdani's campaign received donations from an estimated 40,660 people with an average of $98 per donation.^[1] In comparison, his opponent Andrew Cuomo had an estimated 9,896 donors who donated on average $536.^[2] This highlights the power of the collective over the power of the few and speaks to Mamdani's centering of the ordinary people and their wants and needs over corporations. 

4. His advancement of liberation politics.

   Mamdani remained committed to inclusive politics in the face of an opposition committed to spewing hateful, racist, and anti-immigration propaganda. Mamdani's opposition to war and the criminalization of immigrants charts a new path for the future of progressive politics in the United States. 

In a time marked by despair and the resurgence of fascism, Mamdani’s campaign was unprecedented in that it focused on hope, kindness and grace in the face of hateful and divisive rhetoric. His campaign reignited the power of the people and showed how successful on the ground grassroots campaigning can be. An estimated 104,000 people volunteered for Mamdani's campaign, canvassing neighborhoods and making phone calls in an attempt to bring victory to the new Mayor-elect. The challenge remains how he will materialize his promises given the colossal forces against socialism and redistributive politics. 

In the opening of his victory speech, Mamdani reflected on what his victory means for the working class of New York and its departure from the cynicism and corruption of his predecessors.

 “For as long as we can remember, the working people of New York have been told by the wealthy and the well-connected that power does not belong in their hands. Fingers bruised from lifting boxes on the warehouse floor, palms callused from delivery bike handlebars, knuckles scarred with kitchen burns. These are not hands that have been allowed to hold power, and yet over the last 12 months, you have dared to reach for something greater. Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands. My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty.”^[3]

Quoting the first prime minister of an independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mamdani went on to say, "A moment comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance."^[4] Long suppressed, New York City has found hope again. Hope in the idea that a candidate is working for them and not corporations. Hope in the idea that politics is not something that is done to you but for you. And hope for a better and brighter future. For the first time in a long time, people across New York City, the United States and the world are feeling hopeful and energized about the future. 

Although this victory belongs to New York City, its impact resonates across Global Africa. It shows us what is possible when politics and politicians are people-centered and grounded in liberation, solidarity, compassion and justice.

Pambazuka News stands in solidarity with Zohran Mamdani and eagerly awaits the future of progressive politics in NYC and its wider impact on the people of the world. 

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