Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has expressed his willingness to serve as an ordinary councillor if the African National Congress (ANC) chooses another mayoral candidate. Morero made this statement after casting his vote at Laerskool Roodekrans in Roodepoort on Tuesday morning. He emphasized that he is committed to carrying out the mandate of the ANC and will serve in whatever capacity the party deems fit. As the fourth person on the ANC's list, Morero is confident that he will make it into the council, regardless of whether he becomes the mayor or not.
The ANC has yet to announce its mayoral candidates for various municipalities, including Johannesburg. In the city, Morero, Deputy Mayor Loyiso Masuku, and Frank Chikane were shortlisted for the top post. According to insiders, the ANC delayed announcing its mayoral candidates to prevent members from leaving the party or refusing to vote if their preferred candidate was not selected. This decision comes amid internal divisions within the party, with some members criticizing its deployees in local government for failing to provide basic services.
Morero expressed confidence in the ANC's support base, stating that the party has done extensive campaigning over the past eight months and remains strong. He urged voters to turn up at voting stations and "do the right thing" to ensure the ANC's continued governance. Morero acknowledged that there will always be challenges in local government but emphasized that Johannesburg is one of the cities that is well run. He stressed the importance of voter participation in exercising their rights and ensuring that communities' interests are represented.
ANC insiders have predicted that a lower voter turnout would benefit opposition parties, particularly the Democratic Alliance. Morero countered that a higher voter turnout would secure another mandate for the ANC to continue its work. He emphasized that voters in strongholds must come out in large numbers to support the party. Morero highlighted the significance of local government structures in allowing communities to participate fully in municipal life.
Johannesburg is currently facing water challenges, with some residents experiencing weeks without water. Service delivery issues and electricity cuts also persist. Morero attributed some of the water challenges to extreme weather conditions, which have resulted in increased water consumption. However, some residents have blamed sabotage for the city's ongoing struggles with water and electricity supply.
Morero declined to speculate on the causes of the city's service delivery issues, citing instances of vandalism and sabotage. He mentioned a recent incident where someone cut wires at a central sub-station, disrupting electricity supply. Additionally, there have been cases of unauthorized individuals closing water valves, further exacerbating the challenges.
Morero concluded by emphasizing the importance of community participation in local government. He encouraged residents to exercise their rights and ensure that their voices are heard. The ANC's mayoral candidate for Johannesburg will be announced in due course, and Morero's willingness to serve in any capacity has demonstrated his commitment to the party and the city.
Key points
- Morero is prepared to serve as an ordinary councillor if the ANC chooses another mayoral candidate.
- The ANC has delayed announcing its mayoral candidates to prevent internal divisions and member dissatisfaction.
- Johannesburg is facing service delivery challenges, including water shortages and electricity cuts.
