Funzela Ngobeni has an impressive résumé when it comes to local government, filling several positions between the Johannesburg DA Caucus and the Mayoral Cabinet under former Mayor Herman Mashaba in the past few years.
In a controversial turn of events, Funzela, who was the DA Joburg Caucus Leader, Regional Chairperson and mayoral candidate at the time, resigned from the opposition party to join Herman Mashaba on 2 March to form a new political party.
Johannesburg residents and various councillors met the news with mixed reactions; some saying they expected the resignation, some expressing surprise, and some showing their anger. A few of his former colleagues from the DA expressed their initial feelings of anger and betrayal before calming down and showing their sadness and disappointment. “Funzi was extremely respected within the Party, and we will really miss him,” said Councillor Leah Knott, who was recently elected to fill his position.
Ward 83 councillor, Florence Roberts, also expressed her disappointment, saying that his resignation was heartbreaking, but she respected his decision and wished him the best.
In his resignation letter, Funzela said that he believed Mashaba’s new party would be able to make a positive change. Speaking to the Record he further elaborated saying that South Africans are fully aware of the problems in the country, mainly regarding the economy, crime, corruption, and unemployment, and someone needs to be accountable for them. “Every party knows what needs to be done, we just need leaders that are able to implement these strategies.”
He continued to say that he believed Mashaba was this leader. “He is knowledgeable and decisive; not afraid to ask difficult questions and make difficult choices to change lives positively.”
While the DA has made a name for themselves as the official opposition party, Funzela said that tension inside the party can be distracting from the ultimate goal and derail important plans. He hoped to see a united DA in the future, with no contradictions and fights among members.
Funzela stressed the fact that his resignation was not because he was angry or because he had been mistreated in any way. He had become close to a lot of members within the party and they would continue to be his friends. “The DA gave me the opportunity to lead and the space to grow, and these past 10 years have been extremely fulfilling. The biggest hurdle in this decision is the people I’m leaving behind.”
As a resident of Wilro Park, Funzela said he would miss the councillors a lot, especially the local ones, and he wanted to keep in contact with them. “We are opponents – not enemies.”
Before his resignation, Funzela had several sleepless nights, debating the pros and cons of the decision, but he was confident with the choice he made. “It is definitely going to be difficult to grow to the point we need to, but I am confident that this party will succeed.”
Funzela said that in the end, citizens need to be put first, elaborating on a sentiment Herman Mashaba often expressed. “You need to be a politician for the betterment of the people, not the betterment of your party.”
“I would like to apologise, especially to my neighbours in Ward 83, that I didn’t finish my term, and I regret that I could not be there to carry out all the plans I had. I promise that this will be a party for residents, where they can give their inputs, and I hope to work together with other parties that have the same vision to make a tangible change.”
The new party will be launched by, latest, June of this year. Funzela said he was excited for the new chapter in his life and was already hard at work.
