Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance in the City of Joburg may spend part of 2017 putting out political fires set by the ruling party.
At least this is the view of Mayor Herman Mashaba.
But the founder of Dark and Lovely says he is ready for any opposition that comes his way.
Speaking hours after he landed in the country from New York where he spent time with his family and his daughter in New York, Mashaba said he had no doubt that the New Year will come with challenges for his administration.
"It's not going to be an easy year for us, especially with all the political and coalition arrangements. The ANC is going to oppose everything that we come up with but we are ready and will work hard to ensure we improve this city," he said.
Mashaba, who has previously announced that does not want to be known or called a politician because of the negative connotation the phrase comes with, said the party was currently working on a new budget which he would present to Council by the end of February.
"When I took over in August I was presented with a budget tabled by the former administration. As we speak my team and I are in the middle of making adjustments to this budget."
Mashaba made no mention of the Economic Freedom Front saying he would do well to foster a good working relationship with other parties.
And while his erstwhile colleague and party member City of Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga has been chastised by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) for breaking protocol and going against government's advice following his personal visit to Taiwan to meet with the mayor of Taipei, Mashaba said his trip to New York was purely on a personal basis.
"I was advised to meet various people there but I declined. I needed this time for my family. My daughter studies in Wisconsin, therefore I had to see her," he said.
Mashaba, however, added he made time to have dinner with American economist, commentator and academic Walter Williams. The two met in Virginia.
"I had to pick his brain and insight. He is knowledgeable. Perhaps his wisdom will help me with the work that lies ahead for me."
Despite huge backlash the new mayor will not back down on his plans to rid the city of corruption and those, he says enter the country illegally.
He said his top priority next month was to tackle the continuous theft of the city's resources.
"While on the plane, I was given a local newspaper. Right, there on the front page was the issue of Zama Zama illegal miners allegedly threatening our water supply, which is a very scarce resource for Joburg.
“When I spoke about illegality I was berated. But we need to get to a point where we determine whether we are a nation that wants to live with lawlessness or not."
He added: "What do you tell those hardworking residents in Alexandra when they see government not acting against such criminal activities. Do we say it is ok for them to break the law? Everyone needs to respect the rule of law."
Mashaba said his main priorities would be to address the scourge of illegal miners in the city.
“My wish for 2017 is that City of Joburg residents will live in a city they are proud of. We will work hard to ensure that becomes a reality,” he said.
Meanwhile, City of Tshwane mayoral spokesman Samkelo Mgobozi yesterday could not reveal when Msimanga will return to the country and whether he will meet with Dirco.
“He was in consultation with the department because he left for his trip on Monday. I don’t think he will meet with them. It’s not policy,” Mgobozi said.
He reiterated that Msimanga has not breached any law or committed treason by going to Taiwan adding the party understood the one China policy very well.