Youngest PR councillor, at 23, beat adversity to win

AT 23, Botshelo Moloisane was the youngest PR (proportional representation) councillor to have contested a ward for the DA in Joburg in this year’s local government elections.

He has a rubber bullet wound and sheer determination to show for it.

“I was shot in the hand by Joburg metro police officers. This is when the ANC nomination list had just come out.

“Members of that party in our ward were unhappy about the list and embarked on a strike,” he says.

While meeting with DA activists in the area, Moloisane says police clashed with protesters and he was caught in the crossfire. Other members of his party were shot in the neck and head.

But on election day, Moloisane forgot all about his wound and being taunted by members of other parties.

He also blocked out grim news about the 12 ANC ward councillor candidates who were gunned down in other provinces before the elections .

The youth from Alexandra walked around ward 127 in Leratong Village and caught a glimpse of posters bearing his name and face, hoping he would win. He didn’t.

This, however, didn’t stop him from becoming the youngest PR councillor to serve in the municipality for the next five years.

“If I had to go through all of this again, I would… It’s an amazing experience. I’m doing this for the country and not for myself. I’m willing to die for my nation,” he says.

As for EFF councillor and Joburg region deputy secretary Kgabo Hlonyana, he’s ecstatic about how his party has increased its support.

“We are going to be treated like royalty in the next few years because everyone wants something from us,” he says.

Hlonyana says the 30 seats the party has secured in Joburg was a great achievement. None of the party’s 30 PR councillors will be relocating, he adds.

“You can’t live in Sandton and expect to understand what happens in Diepsloot,” he says. – Noni Mokati