Out with cadres‚ in with professionals – ‘Just call me Herman’ says on first day as mayor
Herman Mashaba’s “mixed feelings” on Tuesday‚ the morning after being elected as Johannesburg’s new mayor‚ ran the roller coaster of being happy‚ saddened and somewhat apprehensive. The Democratic Alliance’s successful candidate told Radio 702 (www.702.co.za) that he was “excited that the ANC had been dislodged”‚ but said this had been shadowed by the loss of an African National Congress councillor‚ and extended his condolences to Nonhlanhla Mthembu’s family‚ fellow councillors and political party.He also told the station’s John Robbie of a degree of anxiety‚ saying “now the big job starts”.This would involve tackling poverty and corruption‚ the fight against which‚ Mashaba said‚ were the cornerstones of his “seven-month-campaign”.He said this would involve replacing a “cadre public service” with a “professional public service…men and women who want to serve”.As well as being independent and proficient‚ Mashaba promised an approachable administration‚ even telling Robbie to “just call me Herman”When quizzed about how his business experience world translate into running government‚ he said that when making decisions in the former “you do not do things only for yourself”‚ and bemoaned that the previous ruling party had focused on self-enrichment...
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