‘What if I am a black version of Steenhuisen? Gwamanda downplays furore over his qualifications

Mystery still surrounds Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, not only over his academic qualifications, but also his political experience. Unconfirmed biographies have been making rounds stating he is a qualified human rights lawyer.

Seen in Alexandra on Tuesday for the first time in public since his election, Gwamanda downplayed the furore over his educational qualifications and allegations of criminal conduct.

Asked about his highest-level qualification, following a recent Carte Blanche investigation which uncovered it was Grade 10, Gwamanda boldly responded: “What if I am a black version of [John] Steenhuisen?”

ALSO READ: Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda no-show at press briefing

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen only holds a matric as his highest qualification. He has been in politics since 2000 and was elected to the Port Elizabeth City Council in 2013.

Gwamanda a ‘human’s rights lawyer’

In a biography by Right Rasta, it is claimed Gwamanda was a “well-known South African human’s rights lawyer” and “after finishing his studies at the South African Constitutional Court, Gwamanda worked as a clerk for Justice Ismail Mohamed”.

Another biography, on Mayor Tunes Media, said Gwamanda was a well-known South African lawyer and human rights advocate.

The Mayor Tunes Media website claimed Gwamanda had also worked as a human rights lawyer at the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), a nonprofit organisation which provided legal services to the poor and marginalised.

ALSO READ: Al Jama-ah gives DA 48 hours to retract ‘lies’ about Gwamanda or face legal action

The Citizen visited the LRC office yesterday to confirm whether Gwamanda was employed by them at some point. An LRC employee, who requested anonymity, said they could neither deny, nor confirm Gwamanda was a former employee.

Legal Practice Council spokesperson Kabelo Letebele promised to revert back to The Citizen on whether Gwamanda was ever enrolled as a lawyer. However, he had not done so by the time of print.

The Citizen contacted Nisa Siers from Al Jama-ah requesting Gwamanda’s CV. But Siers said he would not comment.

National diploma in business

Speaking on Carte Blanche on Sunday, Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks said Gwamanda had a matric certificate and a national diploma in business.

“You can’t do a national diploma in business without a matric certificate, but I haven’t seen his matric certificate. He was appointed by three successive mayors as a political advisor. They won’t appoint an incompetent person that doesn’t have suitable qualifications,” Hendricks said.

ALSO READ: Phalatse to lay charges against new Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda

“We did our vetting and even spoke to his mother on whether he will be a good candidate as mayor. As a political party, we do not have all the resources like national intelligence.

“On the day of the election, I sat next to his mother in the gallery and I asked her to tell me about her son so that we get peace of mind.

“The party also did a thorough vetting and he was cleared.”

The Citizen also sent questions to Mlimandlela Ndamase from the mayor’s office, who promised to liaise with the mayor’s team.

On Saturday, Gwamanda failed to appear at a media briefing meant to set the record straight about his fraud allegations and educational qualifications.

Al Jama-ah representative Imraan Moosa said Gwamanda’s security guards were unavailable and that was the reason he failed to appear. Moosa said at the time there were “security risks” around Gwamanda.

Hendricks accused the media of trying to aid and abet a narrative which sought to show Gwamanda was not suited to be mayor.

ALSO READ: Al Jama-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda elected as new City of Joburg mayor

“The mayor has a [communication] team. There is a separation of powers between the party and metro. This is about the dignity of the mayor’s office,” he said.

He also did not hold back: “You can quote me that all your questions are a DA-ActionSA narrative, which The Citizen and other media houses are aiding and abetting.”

– lungam@citizen.co.za