Wise minds could show the way for mayor
Other mayors can advise Parks Tau on how to lead, despite having to keep within political party lines.
Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau should surround himself with wise minds at this week’s gathering of world mayors in Sandton.
Tau is attending the Metropolis Annual and Board of Directors meeting, a platform for mayors to share ideas about their cities and people.
The theme of the event is Caring Cities and is based on the concept of Ubuntu. Tau pushed the right buttons on the opening day when he said the meeting was an opportunity to share with – and learn from – his counterparts.
He told journalists that the City of Johannesburg would look at some of the programmes other cities run, take the best practice case studies, and translate them locally.
Firstly, Johannesburg’s first citizen should learn how other mayors manage their municipal billing systems.
The Achilles’ Heel of the city administration for years, Tau has so far failed to do better than his predecessor in solving this problem.
The second phase of the Rea Vaya transit system infrastructure is yet to operate, despite being completed months ago. How do other mayors deal with such matters? Tau owes it to his people to get advice.
Pikitup and Metrobus workers downed tools a few days ago: Tau needs to make friends with mayors who know how to deal with trade unions, without compromising service delivery.
The distribution of information in Johannesburg remains a challenge, with municipal spin doctors talking only when they want to. Surprisingly, they – and top officials – get annoyed when information comes from other sources, including rival politicians.
The best form of public relations is to reveal information before the public speculates, and Tau can learn from his peers on this too.
Lastly, heads of legislatures in South Africa must bow to their political masters’ swords, as the electoral system means the mayor is merely a figurehead who implements decisions which are made at party-political level, as do the premiers and presidents.
Perhaps the other mayors can advise Tau on how to lead, despite having to keep within political party lines.
