As 2016 Elections Get More Attention, Mashaba Eyes Joburg Mayor Seat

In a statement criticising corrupt and self-serving ANC politicians who have mismanaged the city of Johannesburg, prominent businessman and former head of the Free Market Foundation Herman Mashaba has thrown his hat into the ring for the seat of Johannesburg mayor in 2016.

“I have decided to announce that I am making myself available as Mayoral Candidate for the DA for Joburg 2016,” Mashaba said in a statement on the Democratic Alliance website on Thursday, barely a day after finance minister Nhlanhla Nene had been sacked by President Jacob Zuma and the markets went into freefall and the rand hit an all-time low.

“The latest removal of Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene clearly confirms the lack of leadership with foresight and concern for the country,” said Mashaba. “It is time for change.”

The countrywide municipal elections in 2016 have suddenly become more important than ever, a litmus test for how much public sentiment has changed toward the African National Congress and its leader Jacob Zuma for their handling of the economy and the country. People are being urged to come out and vote like never before – and even to return from overseas to vote.

At present the mayor of Johannesburg is the ANC’s Parks Tau.

Mashaba is the founder of the company Black Like Me, CEO of Lephatsi Investments and former head of the Free Market Foundation whose life story growing up in poverty he turned into a bestseller called “Black Like You”.

“Could this change politics in the city?” asked talk show host Tim Modise in a tweet, about Mashaba’s announcement.

“For too long I have watched from the sidelines at how corrupt and self-serving ANC politicians have mismanaged Johannesburg,” Mashaba was quoted as saying. “I believe that it is time that hard working & honest people make themselves available for public service. It is my hope that the city will once again be the beacon of light for the whole of Africa.”

He said, “All the people of Johannesburg deserve better, and only the DA can address the residents’ concerns for crime, poverty, joblessness, corruption, and service delivery. The ANC have had 21 years to deliver. I believe that it is high time that the DA is given an opportunity to deliver for the citizens of Johannesburg.”