ActionSA: Sthembelo Majola: Address by ActionSA City of Johannesburg Caucus Spokesperson, during a debate on the motion of no confidence in Mayor Mpho Phalatse

27th January 2023

ActionSA: Sthembelo Majola: Address by ActionSA City of Johannesburg Caucus Spokesperson, during a debate on the motion of no confidence in Mayor Mpho Phalatse

Thank you, Speaker,

It has been over a year and two months since this multiparty government came into power, indeed it has been 14 months of this government undoing the legacy of the previous ANC led GLU (Government of local unity). 

A legacy which the people of Johannesburg rejected in the 2021 local government election by further reducing the ANC vote share by a staggering 11%. This Madam Speaker was an outcry by the people of Johannesburg, crying out for change. 

Change did come, the multiparty coalition government was formed. I’d argue Madam speaker that as ActionSA we played a huge role in the formation of this government. In the face of arrogance, ActionSA together with our group of partners resolved to do what was necessary keep the ANC out of power, Mayor Mpho Phalatse was elected. 

Since the start of this coalition, ActionSA has borne the responsibility to keep this coalition together. Speaker the people of Johannesburg are very much aware that ActionSA has done everything in its power to defend and keep this multi-party government of the people, going. 

We have remained loyal to this government even when we, together with our partners have been subjected to insults and false accusations. Our commitment to this coalition has not been carried out blindly. We have done this in order to ensure that people of Joburg get uninterrupted service delivery. 

Today this multiparty government is facing yet another test. Unfortunately, ActionSA has exhausted all its efforts trying to save this government. This motion of no confidence on her worship, Dr Mpho Phalatse, who still enjoys our full confidence is going to succeed. It is going to succeed speaker, not because we have neglected her; it is going to succeed not because other coalition partners within the multiparty government have neglected her; it will succeed because the DA has neglected her. It is the DA that has betrayed the multiparty coalition. 

Madam Mayor, the people of Joburg must know why their mayor is being voted out today. They need to know why the ANC is coming back again, they need to know that this is happening because your party has abandoned you. Your fate in this vote is as a result of your party treating you with disdain. To make things even worse, Dr Phalatse. they may even try to field you again as their mayoral candidate, knowing very well that they don’t have enough numbers to pull you through. 

Madam Mayor, history will remember you in a positive light, you are the first female mayor of this great city. Your selfless efforts in ensuring that this government provides services to our people will never be forgotten. We as ActionSA will vote against this motion because we still have confidence in you. 

Thank you speaker.