Elections 101: Meet 7 candidates vying to run Gauteng
If you are unsure who to vote for, here is a brief introduction to some of the candidates for Gauteng Premier.
FILE: Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi speaking at the launch of the Mayibuye Primary School in Tembisa on 7 February 2024. Picture: X/EducationGP1
Over the past few months, we have seen hundreds of posters from different parties urging us to vote.
However, a smiling face on some colourful cardboard does not tell us much about what we are voting for.
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To help you out when you head to the polls, here is a little information behind the faces of those vying to be the premier of Gauteng.
These include the four biggest parties in the province from 2019 and some new players on the scene.
Panyaza Lesufi: African National Congress (ANC)
Andrek 'Panyaza' Lesufi of the ANC has been the premier of Gauteng since 2022.
In 2014 he was appointed Gauteng MEC for Education and served until October 2022, excluding two days in 2019 when he served as Gauteng MEC for Finance and e-Government.
One of his priorities as premier would be to fight crime in the province. He vows to resign if he fails.
Some of the key priorities of the ANC in the upcoming elections are job creation, industrial development, and addressing the high cost of living.
Solly Msimanga: Democratic Alliance (DA)
Solly Tshepiso Msimanga is a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
He has been with the DA since 2006, serving in high-level positions including Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality from 2016 to 2019 and the DA Provincial Chairperson from 2014 to 2017.
Msimanga and the DA have been pushing for the devolution of powers in Gauteng, arguing that the national government has 'failed at ensuring crucial government functions run smoothly'.
Some of the DA's priorities for the election include improving literacy, stopping load shedding and water cuts and ending political appointments.
Mbuyiseni Ndlozi: Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
Mbuyiseni Quintin Ndlozi has been with the EFF since its founding in 2013 and was the first official spokesperson for the party.
He was previously affiliated with the ANC (from 1992 until 2013) and has been a Member of the National Assembly, representing the EFF, since 2014.
Ndlozi argues that the EFF has touched every part of the country and hopes that the province will 'give them a chance'.
Some of the EFF's key priorities are the redistribution of land without compensation, free and quality education and investment in 'clean' coal technology
Jaco Mulder: Freedom Front Plus (FF+)/ Vryheidsfront Plus (VF+)
Frederik Jacobus Mulder has been a member of the National Assembly since 2019 and is the Gauteng provincial leader of the FF+.
He previously served as a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature from 2004 to 2014.
Mulder believes the FF+ can bring stability to Gauteng and participate in a coalition government that will be less dependent on the national government.
The FF+ manifesto promotes Christian values, empowerment initiatives devoid of race-based Affirmative Action and Black Economic Empowerment, and community-based education in mother tongues.
Funzi Ngobeni: ActionSA
Funzi Ngobeni was among the first people to join ActionSA and is its Gauteng Provincial Chairperson.
He previously served as the Director of Operations for the party and was responsible for setting up structures of ActionSA across the country.
Ngobeni is outspoken about his commitment to ‘restoring law and order’ and the fight against crime, especially after being hijacked and kidnapped earlier this month.
Some central elements of ActionSA’s political campaign are immigration reform, economic growth, and social support.
Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster: Build One South Africa (BOSA)
Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster is the co-founder and deputy leader of BOSA.
She has been involved with several development and advocacy organisations and served as the Chairperson of the Businesswomen’s Association of SA and the President of the youth chapter of the International Women’s Forum.
As premier, she would focus on fixing core issues in all Gauteng municipalities.
Key priorities of BOSA include ‘putting a job in every home', improving basic education, and ensuring basic service delivery.
Vuyiswa Ramokgopa: Rise Mzansi
Vuyiswa Reitumetse Magdaline Ramokgopa is an experienced entrepreneur and a founding member of Rise Mzansi.
She served as the CEO of the SA Institute of Black Property Practitioners and drove initiatives to empower the youth and women.
She says the youth must be involved in major decisions made for the province as 'the primary shareholders of the future'.
Key priorities of Rise Mzansi include eradicating hunger, having ethical government leaders, and tackling the climate crisis.