The African National Congress announced its candidates for mayor in the 13 municipalities it controls in Gauteng on Tuesday.
The candidates are:
- Johannesburg: Amos Masondo;
- Tshwane: Gwen Ramokgopa;
- Ekurhuleni: Duma Nkosi;
- West Rand district municipality: Faith Matshikiza;
- Sedibeng district municipality: Mlungisi Hlongwane;
- Metsweding district municipality: Agnes Mlondobozi;
- Mogale City local municipality: Calvin Seerane;
- Emfuleni local municipality: Dikeledi Tsotetsi;
- Randfontein local municipality: Zeph Mhlongo;
- Kungwini local municipality: Obed Maila;
- Westonaria local municipality: Maserame Khumalo;
- Lesedi local municipality: Busisiwe Modisakeng; and
- Nokeng tsa Taemane local municipality: Annah Digoro.
The candidates collectively have three decades of political struggle and experience, ANC Gauteng provincial secretary David Makhura said at a press briefing at Walter Sisulu House in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
”They represent the best cadres we have in the municipality and in the structures of our movement,” said Makhura.
There will be new mayors for Tshwane, the West Rand, Metsweding, Mogale City, Emfuleni, Kungwini and Nokeng tsa Taemane municipalities.
”Changing a mayor is not a statement on a specific individual. We have merely moved people from one municipality or post to another to ensure transfer of skills and because we think they are competent to handle the job,” said Makhura.
However, he said the mayors of the Emfuleni (Vereeniging) and Kungwini (Bronkhorstspruit) local municipalities have been changed because of signs of incompetence and alleged corruption.
More than 30 officials and the municipal manager of the Emfuleni local municipality were suspended last year over alleged corruption. The local council then removed the mayor, Sebei Motsoeneng, and the speaker.
”Peter Skosana then took over and had done a good job, but we are now working to stabilise the municipality. There was a lot of corruption and incompetence,” Makhura said. ”At Kungwini, we also had problems of corruption. We made changes there well before elections because we were worried about the problems there.”
Last year, Kungwini mayor Mike Siphiri resigned after allegations that he did not follow procedure when buying land worth R1-million.
Makhura said the ANC is working with the Independent Electoral Commission to ensure that Ramokgopa — who was not registered in Pretoria — will be on its list by Tuesday or Wednesday.
”We are certain she will be on the list. We are still working on it,” he said.
Only one Gauteng municipality is not controlled by the ANC.
”We are entering the next phase of local government with more experience and we are more ready than in 2000,” said Makhura.
The ANC Gauteng is confident its six male and seven female candidates for mayor will efficiently deal with issues of economy and sustainable service delivery, he said.
Its target for provincial economic growth is 8% a year by 2014.
”The country is striving for a 6% growth rate. We in Gauteng have to strive for a higher growth rate so we can pull the rest of the country and ensure that the country reaches the 6% target.
”Our mayoral candidates are well prepared to help us reach our targets. The three things that we are going to focus on are economy, economy, economy.”
Each mayor and mayoral team will also try to speed up the delivery of basic services and improve the provision of housing and service at hospitals, clinics, schools, police stations and elsewhere.
They will also ensure the building of infrastructure through the public works programme to ensure skills development and job opportunities.
Makhura said mayors in each municipality will choose their own mayoral teams once elected, but will have to ensure these are representative of gender and race and that youth are included. — Sapa