On Monday, the 24th of February 2020, the former Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Herman Mashaba was invited to address the community of Ivory Park. This was part of ‘The People’s Dialogue’ which will culminate in the launch of a new political party in June this year.
With an eye on the electorate for the 2021 Local Government Elections. Mashaba announced earlier this year that he will launch his own political party in June this year. Mashaba says his party will put voters first.
One of the issues the former Mayor addressed was the soon-to-be-launched party’s approach to selecting candidates for positions like Councillor, Mayor, MP and President. In the party, voters will decide who to put on the ballot. “The decisions will not be made behind closed doors like other parties” said Mashaba.
“When we launch, voters will have the opportunity to register with us. When the time comes, candidates will apply to stand for political office in their respective communities and cities or be nominated by the community,” he said in a statement.
Our political system serves political parties and career politicians, and not the people that vote for them. That is why our new political party will revolutionise candidate selection by giving voters the final say over who they want their candidates to be.
Mashaba said through town hall debates, voters would also be allowed to vet candidates and decide if they wanted their names on the ballot papers come elections.
Should these candidates fail to deliver to the satisfaction of voters, the party would replace them. This, according to Mashaba, would ensure that leaders were loyal to serving the public and not their careers or party.
Mashaba also addressed the small audience about his support for the death penalty for rape and premeditated murder convicts. He also presented his controversial views about foreigners. If elected, the former mayor will tighten up immigration laws and deport all foreign nationals.
To register for the new political party or to invite Mashaba in your area. Visit The People’s Dialogue.@ Ivory Park
