Herman Mashaba tells Joburg voters ‘they are not that stupid’ and rejects Helen Zille bid

ActionSA mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba told residents of Johannesburg they “are not that stupid” to vote for Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate Helen Zille, speaking as his party reviewed the Government of National Unity’s two-year record.

Campaign remarks at GNU review

Mashaba addressed delegates and party members during ActionSA’s comprehensive review of the Government of National Unity, which will mark two years since its formation on Sunday. He was joined by National Chairperson Michael Beaumont, Parliamentary Leader Athol Trollip MP, Parliamentary Chief Whip Lerato Ngobeni MP, and all party Members of Parliament.

Why Mashaba says he entered the mayoral contest

Mashaba said ActionSA had initially wanted to find another candidate for the City of Johannesburg but accepted the mayoral responsibility after colleagues and residents urged him to stand. He said the choice became “an obvious choice” when the party looked for the most experienced person.

Criticism of Cape Town leadership

Speaking about opponents, Mashaba criticised leaders in Cape Town and used a budget decision there to illustrate his point. He said, “the City of Cape Town… right now has just budgeted at R141 million to build the wall, to hide their poor people, instead of actually providing dignity to them.”

Promises for Johannesburg communities

Mashaba said residents of Alexandra had asked him to help because they did not want to “see a wall between Alexandra and Sandton”, and he promised that “the people of Alexandra are going to be given the dignity that they deserve.” He said ActionSA would provide services to all areas of the city and emphasised: “You don’t just provide services to only those who voted for you. You provide services to all, and people of Johannesburg, they know my personal commitment, they know my party’s commitment.”

On administration collapse and his commitment

Mashaba said Johannesburg residents “see their City collapsing” and asserted they remember events around the 2019 motion of confidence. He added, “I might not have age on my side, but I have energy on my side, and the commitment to this country that I so love,” and concluded, “People of Johannesburg are not that stupid.”

ActionSA’s assessment of the GNU

Parliamentary Leader Athol Trollip said ActionSA gave the GNU a failing grade after two years. He said, “Two years into the Government of National Unity, South Africans were entitled to expect urgency, accountability and results. Instead, they have received a bigger Cabinet, higher unemployment, failing infrastructure, collapsing educational outcomes and continued insecurity.”

Trollip said there had been “isolated improvements” but added that they were not enough. He summarised ActionSA’s view: “The GNU has failed to meet the moment. It has failed to deliver the reform agenda South Africans were promised. We therefore rate the GNU’s performance after two years an F.”

Impeachment committee concerns

On the impeachment committee, Trollip expressed disappointment at the election of Makashule Gana as chairperson, saying Gana “is going to be constrained” and that his appointment was “disappointing.”