Mzansi weighs in on Herman Mashaba’s plan to be Joburg mayor again
Action SA founder Herman Mashaba has received support on social media after his announcement about his candidacy for the position of the city of Johannesburg mayor next year.
Mashaba, who resigned as the mayor in October 2019, broke the news during a press briefing on Thursday.
“I am ready to work with every resident to get our Johannesburg working. Truth be told, when I left as a mayor a little over two years ago, I was disappointed that I was unable to complete the mission I had set out on, certainly not under the party I then worked with,” he said.
During his resignation announcement in 2019, Mashaba accused the DA of undermining his pro-poor agenda, among other reasons for his exit from the party. He claimed the DA insisted on prioritising the needs of suburban residents at the expense of the poor.
In his address on Thursday, Mashaba said he wants to continue where he left off.
Asked whether he would consider a coalition government, he said Action SA is gunning for the outright majority in the city but would consider working with other political parties except for the ANC.
The ANC took over the city after his resignation and installed Geoff Makhubo as mayor.
In a TimesLIVE poll on Thursday, 77% of responders said they would vote for Mashaba to be mayor of Joburg, while nearly 13% said he had left the city in a mess after his last tenure.
Nearly 10% said Action SA needs to prove itself on the ground first.
On social media, many said they would vote for him, while others said he had his chance and failed to impress.
Here are some of the reactions:
I believe in YOU! https://t.co/1087CR5CBF
— Blair Waldorf (@BvbalwaM) May 20, 2021
Herman Mashaba says he's running for mayor of Jo'burg in October LG elections.
— Unathi Kwaza (@Unathi_Kwaza) May 20, 2021
Mmmm, one hopes he's grown a bit of thick skin and developed emotional intelligence while he was away.
I'm will definitely vote for Herman Mashaba
— Skinny Chef SA👨🍳🇿🇦 🏳️🌈 (@anele_booi) May 20, 2021
Let's give Herman Mashaba a chance plz
— @sr501e (@sr501e1) May 20, 2021
He had a chance and nothing changed, we need fresh blood. Jozi needs a younger mayor with knowledge of local government.
— Ngelengele (@MatthewsMahlubi) May 20, 2021
@HermanMashaba you are indeed what thr city needs, how do i join the party
— Raheem Atibu (@McAtibu) May 20, 2021
Looking forward to the outcome,will shows you that twitter is not reality
— Freedom front plus (@Our_DAparty) May 20, 2021
When Herman Mashaba was the mayor of the City of Johannesburg, he had a hands-on approach to his mayoralty and delivered basic services to those on the periphery of the economy and steered the city in the right direction. I am here for Herman Mashaba’s mayoralty
— Joe Teffo (@SirJoeTeffo) May 20, 2021
Herman Mashaba for Mayor https://t.co/54vrRAWJnY
— 📖Chubby Slender🙊🕴🕴 (@Wiseman_rsa) May 20, 2021