Public backlash as Tshwane Mayor labelled a ‘mampara’

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has come out in strong defense of Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya, criticising a Sunday publication for mocking her as the “Mampara of the week.”

Mashaba’s remarks follow public backlash over Moya’s grand entrance at her first State of the City Address, which drew criticism for being overly extravagant.

TSHWANE MAYOR NASIPHI MOYA LABELLED A ‘MAMPARA’

On Sunday, TimesLive labelled Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya their “Mampara of the week.”

The opinion piece stated that the backlash stemmed from Mayor Moya’s parade through the city ahead of her State of the City Address on Thursday, 10 April.

She made her entrance in a grand procession that featured city service members on motorbikes and horses, accompanied by Metro Police as well as Fire and Rescue vehicles.

Watch the video here.

HERMAN MASHABA: ‘A RACIAL ATTACK’

While Nasiphi Moya has not addressed the criticism, Action SA leader Herman Mashaba branded it a “racial attack.”

He posted on X: “Racial stereotypes are going to be called as such, and nothing else.”

Mashaba went on to list the achievements made by the Tshwane Mayor in her first six months in office. They include:

• The first FULLY FUNDED budget since 2022
• Cash reserves projection of R2.8 billion for 25/26
• 13.56% decrease in the debtor’s book
• Decrease in Eskom’s debt of R1 billion
• Rand Water account fully paid up
• Cleared 1 230 illegal dumping sites 
• 2138 title deeds this year
• Bolstered by law enforcement operations 
• Expanding indigent support to 183 397 households
• Improvement in liquidity coverage

The chairman of the party, Michael Beaumont, posted a message addressed to the Tshwane Mayor.

He posted on X: “Dear @nasiphim, you will be held to a much higher standard than your predecessors even when their failures caused people to die of cholera.

He continued: “It’s okay. We know you will exceed every standard, no matter how unfair. Keep on fixing, and stay graceful.