Home » It’s Official: DA’s Herman Mashaba is New Mayor of Joburg

It’s Official: DA’s Herman Mashaba is New Mayor of Joburg

JOHANNESBURG – The Democratic Alliance’s Herman Mashaba has been elected as the new Executive Mayor of Joburg, replacing the ANC’s Parks Tau. On Twitter, DA supporters were already rejoicing before the official announcement, and even Wikipedia confidently updated their entry for the businessman before it was announced: Earlier today the DA’s Vasco da Gama was elected as Speaker (unleashing […]

By SAPeople
22-08-16 22:12
in News

JOHANNESBURG – The Democratic Alliance’s Herman Mashaba has been elected as the new Executive Mayor of Joburg, replacing the ANC’s Parks Tau. On Twitter, DA supporters were already rejoicing before the official announcement, and even Wikipedia confidently updated their entry for the businessman before it was announced:

Mashaba

Earlier today the DA’s Vasco da Gama was elected as Speaker (unleashing several jokes), and this evening the party’s Kevin Patrick Wax was elected Chief Whip of Council.

Today’s Joburg City appointments mean that the ANC has lost its hold over major South African centres with the DA now basically in control of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Tshwane and economic hub Johannesburg.

Mashaba is a successful entrepreneur and family man, who founded the famous company ‘Black Like Me’.

Many have been inspired by his rags to riches tale – he was born in near-poverty in GaRamotse in Hammanskraal, and raised by his sisters while his absent domestic-worker mother worked long hours.

mashaba
Herman Mashaba. Source: Black Like Me Facebook page.

Mashaba sees his life’s purpose to help others find a ladder out of poverty.

During his acceptance speech Monday evening, Mashaba said his new team should understand the importance of public service and time, and vowed that as of this evening “corruption is declared public enemy number one in this city”. He also the unfairness of people living without toilets in a world class African city will be addressed.

He requested that his inaugural speech be postponed out of respect to the ANC councillor who passed away during today’s proceedings, but not before thanking the EFF leadership for “what you have done for this country”.

On Twitter:

https://twitter.com/mynameisjerm/status/767794440937275392

https://twitter.com/AmlaGaddaffi/status/767793921682509824

https://twitter.com/moloisrj/status/767793507935346688

https://twitter.com/Flex_squirrel/status/767797088360996864

https://twitter.com/uSamke_M/status/767797362215493632