Al Jama-ah backs Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda to stay as it joins GNU

Al Jama-ah party leader Ganief Hendricks believes Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda should remain in his position as his party joins the government of national unity (GNU).

Hendricks told TimesLIVE that though the party has not made demands for positions during GNU cabinet talks, he believed their mayoral position in Johannesburg should remain. 

“Gwamanda has been doing a commendable job and deserves to continue his leadership. The mayor is doing very well; we hope he continues with his hard work. We are impressed with him. He has implemented nearly 100 RDP projects, he has established three power station units, and the City of Joburg is much cleaner now. 

“All parties in the GNU are happy with the mayor's leadership. If he continues that way, we feel that he should stay on,” he said.

The mayor, however, should continue with his job based on merit.

“He must only stay based on doing a good job. If he doesn't make the cut, he must go. It's a matter of the competence of the mayor, and if he has done a good job, but we give him a thumbs-up. We are fully behind our mayor,” Hendricks said. 

Al Jama-ah is one of 10 political parties that joined the GNU.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce his cabinet soon, but there have been a lot of disagreements within the GNU, with other parties making demands.

Hendricks said the party leader would not make any demands, “hoping” their merit would speak for itself when Ramaphosa elects his cabinet.

“We have seats in the National Assembly. I have been in the corporate world; I have 40 years of experience in communications, creating new revenue streams and jobs. I was in a trade union for 10 years, actively trying to attract investments from other countries to South Africa for the past five years, and I served on Brics.

“I'm very passionate about attracting investment to SA. When given a chance, I will explain to the president that this is my experience, and the president will decide where to place me.”

He said Ramaphosa should be given the space to appoint his own cabinet without pressure from parties.

“The president has the constitutional authority to appoint. We don't want to undermine the constitution or the president. The parties making demands are disrespectful to the constitution. I will not push for any particular position.”

TimesLIVE