Many back Madwara for mayor
ANC councillors say his business background would benefit Bay
JUST because he wears suits and drinks whisky with some of the country’s top business leaders does not mean that the president of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Mandla Madwara, is out of touch with communities at grassroots level.
This is the feeling among some ANC branch leaders and councillors who were reacting to news that Madwara’s name had topped the list of potential candidates being considered to replace Ben Fihla as mayor.
Although other names are being bandied about, Madwara is believed to be the firm favourite and is said to have been informally approached by the ANC regional task team and told he could be asked to take up the position later this month.
Madwara said although he had heard the rumour, he had not been officially approached to take over from Fihla. President Jacob Zuma and the rest of the ANC’s top brass are expected back in the Bay on May 18 to pronounce on interventions to shake up the municipality.
None of the branch leaders or councillors who spoke to The Herald were willing to be named for fear of reprisals, as the process of replacing Fihla has not yet been concluded.
“Madwara is a tried and tested cadre of our movement. He does not belong to any factions. He sacrificed his youth for the liberation of this country,” one branch leader said.
While his critics believe he has no appeal in communities, particularly the townships, his supporters are adamant that his vocal stance towards the declining state of the municipality in recent years is exactly the attitude needed in trying to fix the administration.
“He was a councillor before the municipality became a metro and he was removed then because he was not part of factions, and so he opted to go into business and establish himself.
“All the while, he continued to be a card-carrying member of the ANC. He has credibility and he has been vocal on issues of corruption in the municipality. The people who say he’s aloof don’t know Mandla Madwara,” another branch leader said.
An ANC councillor believes that should Madwara replace Fihla, he would restore investor confidence in the municipality.
“He is well trusted, highly disciplined and under his leadership the municipality would succeed. The fact that he’s in business doesn’t interfere with how people feel about him in communities. He will come back to interface on a grassroots level if need be.
“This region needs a mayor who understands the economy and the budget and is able to take it to the people on the ground,” the councillor said.
However, he stressed the need for him to have an ANC team that would not pull him down.
Another ANC councillor said: “Madwara can assist with bringing the practice of business to the public sector.”
This view was backed by a third councillor.
A fourth, however, said: “We need someone who is grounded with the people. He is known, but he is not in touch with the community on the ground. He is not the right choice for me.”