By Phakamisa Mayaba
In what is already being dubbed the most important local government election since 1994, the scramble for Johannesburg – SA’s economic heartland – is turning out to be the battle that everybody wants to win. Given the ANC’s waning support, even opaque organisations are starting to smell blood. And so, clad in disparate regalia, and preaching an assortment of messages, they are all creeping out of the woodwork.
Boots on the ground, pyrotechnic launches, meeting the gogos and already kissing babies, the early birds are all hoping for a slice of the pie. The DA were among the first out the starting blocks. Realising their small numbers, Good, Rise Mzansi and Build One South Africa (BOSA) have formed a tight pack called Unite for Change to scrum up against the bulky players.
Even the introverts are turning up for interviews, because this is not the time to avoid the limelight. Every opportunity to be seen is a chance to reach out to one more demographic, one more voter. One last message to send out. This has largely been the modus operandi of those who’ve gotten off tgo an early start. All, that is, except one person.
Although lauded for his previous mayoral stint, Herman Mashaba has stolen his time, with one report saying he was still ‘mulling’ whether to stand. More than most, he understands the troubles stacked against any party or person that will try to restore eGoli to its former glory. Many of them likely to come from within the Council, as well as the hangers-on and beneficiaries post-democracy has created for itself over the years.
In his capacity as Jozi’s first citizen, (2016 – 2019) Mashaba is remembered for an openly conservative stance on illegal foreign nationals, and calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty for murderers and rapists. Although his criticism of the ANC’s close ties with Russia – among others – saw him come under fire from quarters of the black Left, others found his decision to turn down a parliamentary role so as to focus on growing his party back in 2024 highly noble.
In a political culture of seats and positions, his ability to walk away from the job as well as his former party, the DA, in solidarity with Mmusi Maimane cast him as an oddity. With the greed and corruption known to start from the very top of government, Mashaba’s gesture of loyalty suggested a man of uniquely rare pedigree.
Here at Toverview, we anticipated he’d be hard to track down and if we were lucky to get hold of him, he’d probably tell us he was simply too busy. Available to him were the usual options of getting us in touch with an underling, or a secretary to play middleman. To our surprise, though, the ActionSA leader personally took our electronic mail interview, timeously and with no qualms about sharing his contact details. This is what he had to say…
Toverview: According to news reports, you are still thinking about whether to run for mayor of the the City of Johannesburg. If so, why the uncertainty? By many accounts, your previous stint in the position was widely applauded.
Mashaba: As already communicated, ActionSA is still busy with its own internal processes regarding the mayoral candidates for all the municipalities to be contested in the upcoming LGE, including the City of Johannesburg. The city of Joburg being the financial heart of country, and its problems being compounded by the mismanagement of the current ANC mayor, I am ready and willing to make myself available in case we fail to find another Dr Nasiphi Moya or Xolani Khumalo. Our announcement will be made long before the elections.
Toverview: Helen Zille has made national headlines b y edmerging as the the DA’s mayoral candidate. What are your feelings towards her and her party’s ambitions in this regard?
Mashaba: Helen Zille and the DA have the right to nominate a candidate of their choice. ActionSA is going to focus our attention on all candidates we have to contest against, from all political parties.
Toverview: Your former colleague Mmusi Maimane, along with Songezo Zibi and Patricia de Lille, have unified to contest some of the forthcoming elections. Did they ever approach ActionSA? If so, why did you not sign up?
Mashaba: Yes, we were approach[ed], but decline[d] to join as the proposal was not in line with what ActionSA wanted to approach the current political challenges our country is facing.
Toverview: Pundits say that the local government scramble for Johannesburg is the most important local government election since 1994. Are they exaggerating, or do you agree?
Mashaba: All elections since 1994 have been important for the future of our country.
Toverview: In light of the corruption and general decay in the city, would you agree that more mature coalitions are vital, and that congtinued revolving door mayorships will do nothing to reverse the crisis? Or do you believe any party can win an outright majority?
Mashaba: Coalition governments are determined by electoral outcomes. South Africa has officially entered the era of coalitions, and ActionSA is willing and open to work with parties that embrace the following three non-negotiable terms: 1. Provide public services to all residents. 2. Declare corruption as public enemy number one. 3. Agree that illegal foreigners not welcome in South Africa.
Toverview: Could you briefly outline the first first things you would do in order to turn Johannesburg around?
Mashaba: You cannot turn the city around by doing one thing. You turn around the city by ensuring that all MMCs immediately hit the ground running in their respective departments. We need to immediately do the skills audits to ensure that all senior technocrats are qualified to do their work.
Toverview: And what promises do you make to Johannesburg residents, who have been hit by power and water cuts as well as an ever-increasing cost of of living?
Mashaba: You start by professionalising the public service. We will ensure that resources are redirected to the maintenance of existing infrastructure, and building and upgrading the current ones.
Toverview: Any words to twist the arm of the undecided voter?
Mashaba: Voter education is one of key priority of ActionSA, educating the voters about the power of their votes.
Featured Image: Herman Mashaba at an ActionSA event. Source: ActionSA Facebook page.
This is an edited version of an interview that first appeared on Phakamisa Mayaba’s website, eParkeni. Used with permission.
A good read. Thank you