Riyaz Patel
Former Johannesburg mayor and DA member Herman Mashaba says he has “lost faith” in South Africa’s political system and announced the launch of a new platform “to engage South Africans from all walks of life” about how to build South Africa.
Mashaba said Friday he made this decision to launch The People’s Dialogue, after he resigned from the DA and his seat as mayor.
“Like many South Africans, I have lost faith in our political system. Nothing could demonstrate this more than the events that have taken place over the past 48 hours across major metros in South Africa,” Mashaba said.
Political developments escalated sharply in Gauteng this week following two mayoral shake-ups in Johannesburg and Tshwane.
A clash is also looming between the capital’s municipality and the provincial government after Human Settlements MEC Lebogang Maile placed the City of Tshwane under administration.
Earlier this week, the ANC’s Geoff Makhubo was elected as Mashaba’s replacement.
And in Tshwane, the DA’s Stevens Mokgalapa was removed as mayor through a successful motion of no confidence during a special council sitting Thursday night.
The DA pounding started earlier when Tshwane speaker Katlego Mathebe was also removed from council through a motion of no confidence.
“Through all of this, I have come to the view that political parties and politicians operate with self-interest as their primary driver of decision making, and not in the interest of ordinary South Africans,” Mashaba said in a statement.
“Despite this, in my time as the mayor of Johannesburg, I have been fortunate to meet thousands of South Africans from all backgrounds. They have confirmed my deep-seated belief that our country is loaded with potential.
“We are a proud people and desire to live in a country that works, but we are held back from that possibility by our political system.”
Mashaba added that while South Africa faces many challenges as a nation, he believes the country is capable of finding innovative solutions by talented individuals who share his “desire to save our country.”
