4 things Herman Mashaba plans to improve as mayor of JHB
Herman Mashaba was announced as the new Johannesburg mayor earlier this week. Here are four issues he plans to tackle from his first day at work.
After receiving 144 votes over ANC mayoral candidate Parks Tau’s 125 votes, DA’s candidate Herman Mashaba became Johannesburg mayor. Tuesday, 23 August was his first day at work and Joburg Today caught up with him to find out how he would spend his time as mayor of Johannesburg.
“People in South Africa, particularly Joburg, spoke on 3 August and yesterday the DA and our coalition partners made history, we ousted the ANC. For the first time in our 22-year history of democracy, Johannesburg is under DA led administration and I’m the mayor to steer the ship so I’m excited with this,” said Mashaba.
Here are four things Mashaba will be focussing on improving as mayor of Johannesburg:
1. Driving the Johannesburg economy
Johannesburg is the economic hub of South Africa and Mashaba plans to grow the economy and restore a fair GDP rate and bring down inflation. “I’m sure you have heard the Reserve Bank a few weeks ago announcing GDP growth coming in at a flat rate and the same time, if we look at inflation it’s at 6% plus so you and I are poorer than we were a year ago because if the economy is not growing but inflation is going up. Unemployment in Johannesburg is at 31% and these are scary numbers.”
2. Job Creation
Job creation is a big issue in Johannesburg and Mashaba plans to make this a goal for DA to achieve during his tenure through eliminating corruption. He said: “Government is not going to be the one creating jobs but we need to create an enabling framework for businesses to operate particularly small business men and women. Entrepreneurs are going to be my biggest friends.” Mashaba said that those people that run businesses must make money because if they do, they employ people and pay taxes, which in turn helps government create an environment for them to succeed.
3. Private Sector Engagement
The previous administration has made some progress in the private sector and as a businessman himself, Mashaba will be appointing someone in his mayoral committee who will drive economic development. He said that with him, they will engage with the private sector starting with small businesses. He said he is also inviting the business community to come and talk to him and see how government can help.
4. E-tolls
The DA has been frontrunner in the fight against e-tolls and Mashaba said that the DA National Office has been fighting this for years and he will continue on this journey. “I don’t want to see any of our GMPD officials harassing our communities on behalf of Sanral.” He also urged voters to take a stand in 2019 to make sure this national issue is resolved.
Watch his full interview on Joburg Today:
