The Black Like Me magnate is touring Johannesburg informal settlements and townships to remind residents of the squalid conditions in which they are living.
Mashaba, the Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate for Johannesburg City, has already started hitting the group campaigning for votes in the upcoming local government elections.
The Fourways Review news team caught up with the multi-millionaire in the dust- and crime-infested Diepsloot on 29 February where he went on a door-to-door campaign against crime and corruption.
He was backed by DA’star parliamentarian, the Honourable Cameron Mackenzie and the party’s PR councillor in the area, Refilwe Mathebula.
Mashaba, former chief executive officer and founder of Leswikeng Minerals and Energy (Pty) Limited, was in his best form, firing on all four cylinders and ripping the ruling ANC to shreds.
The energy drink tycoon berated the ANC for not improving the lives of Diepsloot residents. “The ANC has been winning elections in the area but did nothing of significance for the residents. They are taking people for granted, but what they do not realise, is that people are now sick and tired of promises without delivery,” said Mashaba as he addressed a crowd of residents in Extension 2.
He added that it was a shame that the township of more than a million people was without a hospital. There are only two clinics in Diepsloot that operate between 8am and 5pm from Monday to Friday.
Addressing scores of his party members just three metres away from a flowing sewer, Mashaba accused the Parks Tau-led City of letting down the residents of Diepsloot. “Twenty years into democracy, the government is still spewing promises and excuses instead of improving the lives of the people,” said Mashaba.
He added that his number one target, as soon as he took office, was to fight corruption, unemployment and attract investors to the City of Johannesburg.
Mackenzie expressed hope that his party will do very well in the township, despite the misconception of the DA being a whites-only party. “We are being received very well by the community. They realised that the DA is very inclusive of all races and our policies are pro-poor,” said Mackenzie during an exclusive interview with Fourways Review.
Mackenzie said his party was ready to govern the City of Johannesburg. “People trusted the ANC, but have no option now after being betrayed,” said the outspoken lawmaker.
Register on 5 to 6 March 2016 to vote in the local government elections
