Gauteng's Political Landscape Shifts: Mashaba's Potential Return and ActionSA's Strategy
The political arena in Gauteng is heating up as speculation surrounds Herman Mashaba's possible return to the Johannesburg mayoral seat. While Mashaba remains noncommittal for now, ActionSA has nominated Xolani Khumalo as their candidate for Ekurhuleni, injecting further intrigue into the upcoming local government elections.
Will Mashaba Challenge Helen Zille in Johannesburg?
A key question is whether Mashaba will compete against DA figurehead Helen Zille in the battle for Johannesburg's mayorship. This would be a particularly significant contest given Mashaba's past departure from the DA and the potential for a highly contentious political showdown. Political observers anticipate a bitter fight if Mashaba throws his hat into the ring.
Mashaba has stated he would only consider running for mayor of Johannesburg if ActionSA fails to find a candidate comparable to Khumalo in Ekurhuleni or Nasiphi Moya in Tshwane. He asserts his readiness for the role, saying, “I’m as active as when I was 22, when I started my business career.”
Xolani Khumalo Enters the Political Arena
Xolani Khumalo, known for his anti-crime activism, is now stepping into politics. His message centers on holding “career politicians” accountable for the country’s issues. “I’m not coming in as a politician, but a patriot,” he declared, promising to address lawlessness, drug abuse, corruption, and service delivery in Ekurhuleni.
However, analyst Piet Croucamp describes Khumalo as “controversial” and cautions about his stance on immigration, drawing parallels to the rhetoric of Kenny Kunene and Gayton McKenzie.
ActionSA's Focus on Gauteng Metros
ActionSA views Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni as crucial territories in Gauteng. Mashaba argues that his tenure as Johannesburg mayor demonstrated the party's potential with a full term. He highlights the R16 billion investment in Tshwane under Moya as evidence of ActionSA's ability to achieve results.
Mashaba said they have “surprises up their sleeve” and are working on mayoral candidates for other municipalities they will contest. “We are working around the clock for mayoral candidates of other municipalities we are going to contest. Watch this space,” he said.
Analysts Offer Cautionary Notes
Political analyst Daniel Silke advises voters to consider more than just a candidate's popularity. “The star attraction of a candidate…is not indicative of their specific abilities in managing the complexities of a large metro,” he stated.
Dr Rene Oosthuizen suggests that Mashaba's emphasis on headline-grabbing announcements might overshadow questions about ActionSA's policy clarity. Voters should “carefully examine whether a candidate’s track record and policy positions align with the pressing needs and challenges in their communities.”
ANC's Johannesburg Candidate Remains Undecided
The ANC has yet to announce its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, leaving current mayor Dada Morero uncertain about his position. The upcoming regional conference will likely be a deciding factor, with Morero potentially facing a challenge from Loyiso Masuku.
For residents of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, the mayoral race is critical. Issues such as service delivery, corruption, and infrastructure are paramount. The core question is whether any candidate—be it Mashaba, Zille, Khumalo, or an ANC choice—can improve Gauteng's struggling metros.
"Although I am not coming in as a politician, but a patriot who shares with millions of citizens loss of hope in career politicians...I have put together a plan of action to fix Ekurhuleni." - Xolani Khumalo
Adapted from articles on The Citizen and Joburg ETC.
