By Marcus Moloko
Zohran Mamdani, the newly sworn-in mayor of New York City, made history on 1 January when he delivered his inaugural address on the steps of City Hall.
At just 34 years old, Mamdani is the city’s youngest mayor in generations and its first Muslim mayor.
His speech, which emphasised unity and bold governance, included a striking reference to South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela and the Freedom Charter, resonating far beyond the United States.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula highlighted the moment and said: “New York City’s New Mayor made reference to our leader, President Madiba, and the Freedom Charter, in his Inauguration Speech as a basis to answer the question, who the City he now leads, belongs to (all who live in it). What a moment in history and an affirmation of the collective wisdom of our people, whose blood, sweat, and tears was the ink which wrote the Freedom Charter.”
Mamdani was born in Uganda to a family of Indian origin before moving to the U.S.
His political rise has been marked by progressive policies and expanding universal childcare.
During his inauguration, Mamdani declared that his administration would govern “expansively and audaciously,” refusing to lower expectations.
“We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try,” he said.
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