Johannesburg needs a mayor who puts African culture first

By Celani Sikhakhane

• Professor Mathole Motshekga says Johannesburg needs a mayor who can improve services without pushing aside the city’s African culture and royal history.

• The Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party and Economic Freedom Fighters have named mayoral candidates while the African National Congress considers its options.

Political parties fighting for control of Johannesburg have been warned not to choose a mayoral candidate who will push African culture aside.

Professor Mathole Motshekga of the Bolobedu royal family says the next mayor must understand Johannesburg’s African history and respect its different cultures.

He spoke to Scrolla.Africa on Wednesday as political parties prepare for the battle to govern South Africa’s biggest city.

Motshekga said service delivery must remain important, but believes the mayoral race should also include a discussion about Johannesburg’s cultural identity.

“Political parties need to be careful on their mayoral candidates for the City of Johannesburg,” he said.

“Johannesburg has a deep history, especially on African royalty. Therefore we need someone who will embrace it.”

Motshekga said he was concerned that candidates were focusing mainly on service delivery without speaking enough about African culture.

“We only hear people talking about service delivery, which is not wrong, but no one speaks about the restoration of African culture in the city,” he said.

“We don’t need someone who will erase the Africanism and remodel Johannesburg along European culture like the City of Cape Town.”

Motshekga also raised concerns about newer political parties seeking to govern Johannesburg.

He believes a lack of knowledge about the city’s history could become a problem if those parties take power.

Johannesburg is home to people from many different cultural backgrounds and Motshekga said its next mayor should understand that diversity.

He believes traditional leadership should also be respected by whoever takes charge of the city.

Motshekga also fired a warning at the African National Congress over its choice of candidate.

He said the party should not simply choose a veteran politician because of their political experience.

According to Motshekga, running a municipality requires its own leadership experience.

He warned that choosing someone who has spent years in politics but has never led a municipality could be a serious mistake.

The African National Congress has reportedly been considering veteran politician Reverend Frank Chikane, Loyiso Masuku and Jabu Moleketi as possible candidates.

Other parties have already started putting names forward.

The Democratic Alliance has announced veteran politician Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate.

The Inkatha Freedom Party has chosen Youth Brigade secretary Mlungisi Mabaso.

The Economic Freedom Fighters has announced Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng as its candidate.

The announcements are setting the stage for a major political contest over the future leadership of Johannesburg.

For Motshekga, however, the contest should not only be about which party can promise better roads, electricity, water and other basic services.

He wants candidates to explain how they will protect Johannesburg’s African identity while governing a city made up of people from many backgrounds.

He said the person elected to lead Johannesburg must understand different cultures and have respect for traditional leaders.

As parties prepare their campaigns, Motshekga’s message is clear: fixing Johannesburg’s services matters, but he believes protecting its African cultural identity should also be part of the fight for the city.

Pictured above: Professor Mathole Motshekga of the Bolobedu royal family, who has warned political parties about their choices for Johannesburg mayor.

Image source: File