Mangaung’s political stability has come under the spotlight, with a political analyst crediting the incumbent Executive Mayor and mayoral candidate Gregory Nthatisi for helping to steer the metro through a period of political uncertainty and factional tensions.
The analyst says Nthatisi’s leadership approach, political experience and ability to engage different political parties have contributed to creating a more stable political environment in the metro, particularly as the African National Congress (ANC) prepares for the upcoming local government elections.
The ruling party secured an outright majority in Mangaung during the 2021 local government elections, winning 51 of the 100 council seats after garnering 50.63% of the vote, down from 56.52% in 2016.
This was followed by what many described as one of the most chaotic periods in the metro’s history under then-mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana, who was later removed by the ANC’s interim provincial committee (IPC), led by current provincial chairperson Mxolisi Dukwana.
Siyonzana’s removal came months after the ANC expelled eight councillors for voting with opposition parties. Those expelled included then-Speaker Stefanie Lockman and Deputy Mayor Mapaseka Mothibi-Nkoane.
Speaking to Journal News on the sidelines of a community high-level seminar hosted by the Free State Legislature on Thursday, political analyst Professor Sethulego Matebesi of the University of the Free State attributed Nthatisi’s success in stabilising the municipality to his humility and political experience.
Matebesi said Nthatisi’s personal characteristics have been beneficial not only to Mangaung but also to the province, particularly because most councillors in the metro belong to the same political party as the mayor.
“Sometimes, to guide them, you need a political master. Perhaps it is his quiet diplomacy, which in itself is quite significant in terms of leadership, that has helped reduce conflict within the council and the party,” Matebesi said.
He said Nthatisi’s willingness to acknowledge the municipality’s shortcomings was another positive leadership quality.
“I have also noted that he is quick to accept when the municipality has done wrong. It is just that the nature of our municipality sometimes becomes so difficult, but we should also not accept that,” he said.
Matebesi acknowledged that Mangaung still faces service delivery challenges but said the metro also had notable positives.
“We have access to water. Yes, there are some communities without it, but we have access to water. Our robots are working most of the time. So there are a lot of positives. But I strongly believe that, as a municipality, we can do better,” he said.
