Outgoing Johannesburg Mayor, Herman Mashaba has dismissed reports that he is engaging in talks around a new political party.
Mashaba announced his resignation in October following the election of Helen Zille as the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Federal Council Chairperson.
He will be vacating his office next Wednesday.
“I am going to do this to provide necessary resources for civil society to start the discussion and depending on what comes out of the civil society direction, one would really make the decision. Perhaps there are young people out there who are willing to put their bodies on the line to protect this democracy, to protect the future of this country,” says Mashaba.
Mashaba says his relationship with the DA is water under the bridge.
In an exclusive interview with the SABC, the outgoing mayor says he’s only spoken to his former leader, Mmusi Maimane, once after his resignation.
“Regarding Mmusi Maimane forming his political party, it’s something I read about in the media. Ever since Mmusi left office, I only met with him once for half an hour and had one telephone call with him for 5 minutes. I’m happy to listen to what ideas he’s got as far as Herman Mashaba is concerned. Herman Mashaba is exhausted at the moment as I’ve indicated. I need to go on a holiday,” says Mashaba.
