JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 28: City of Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba delivers a keynote address during the ceremony held to honour the firefighters who battled the 2018 Bank of Lisbon building blaze at the Florida fire station on January 28, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mashaba awarded Emergency Management Services (EMS) firefighters with medals of bravery, including the three members who died while trying to put out a fire at the 22-storey Lisbon Bank building in September 2018. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Alaister Russell)
Mayor Mashaba to address disgruntled Alexandra residents
Alex Total Shutdown organisers promise to engage with the mayor in an open and peaceful discussion.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 28: City of Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba delivers a keynote address during the ceremony held to honour the firefighters who battled the 2018 Bank of Lisbon building blaze at the Florida fire station on January 28, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mashaba awarded Emergency Management Services (EMS) firefighters with medals of bravery, including the three members who died while trying to put out a fire at the 22-storey Lisbon Bank building in September 2018. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Alaister Russell)
Herman Mashaba, executive mayor of the Johannesburg, is finally set to address Alexandra residents on Monday.
April got off to a fiery start for Alexandra, as embattled residents embarked on a Total Shutdown of Johannesburg’s oldest township. The protests, which served as a call to action against poor service delivery and illegal land occupations, saw roads barricaded with boulders and burning debris.
President Ramaphosa steps in
After being officially endorsed by the African National Congress (ANC) in the region, the protest became a political battlefield, with blame being passed from one party to the next. Naturally, the Democratic Alliance (DA), which governs the City of Johannesburg, was quick to point out the ANC’s failings.
Mayor Mashaba was scathing in his counterattack, arguing that the ANC had led Alexandra to ruin and had subsequently orchestrated the Alex Total Shutdown protest movement as a political ploy to undermine and tarnish the DA’s reputation. Protesters, however, have denied allegations of political subversion.
Ignoring calls for a public appearance, Mashaba did little to alleviate tensions in the area. Even when protesters marched to the regional offices in Sandton last week, Mashaba refused to engage. This left the door wide open for the ANC.
Mashaba remains resolute
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has since denied that his appearance formed part of the party’s election campaign, addressed Alexandra residents on Thursday, labelling Mashaba’s claims as disingenuous and divisive. The president’s appearance was largely welcomed by the community, who voiced their disappointment in Mashaba and his ‘empty promises’.
Mashaba, who apparently met with various stakeholders on Friday, resolved to engage the community on Monday as part of the integrated development plan (IDP). The IDP deals extensively with issues regarding service delivery, infrastructure and law enforcement.
The mayor’s spokesperson has confirmed that the IDP meeting would take place on Monday evening. Alex Total Shutdown organisers said that they would engage with the mayor in an open and peaceful discussion.
