The DA has unveiled one of its rising stars and former Midvaal mayor, Bongani Baloyi, as its Gauteng premier candidate for the national election in 2024, saying he is a “huge part” of the party’s future.
Baloyi, who became the country’s youngest mayor at the age of 26 when he succeeded Timothy Nast as Midvaal’s first citizen in August 2013, presided over a municipality that achieved six unqualified audit reports. Midvaal became a shining example of good governance in a country in which municipalities are often cited for corruption, irregular and wasteful expenditure.
Midvaal local municipality is an administrative area within the Sedibeng district municipality of Gauteng. The municipality’s name references its geographical location halfway between the Johannesburg and East Rand areas and the Vaal and Vereeniging areas.
“I’ve done my part in Midvaal and I’m happy with what I’ve achieved. All these possible or likely scenarios are subject to internal party processes which must be followed at some stage,” Baloyi said last week.
He said he appreciates the confidence shown in him by the party’s leadership that he said was borne out of his successes while at the helm of the local municipality.
“I don’t believe that the party owes me anything. I was given a chance to demonstrate what a capable, young leadership can do. Beyond that, I didn’t ask for anything else.”
Baloyi was part of a group of black leaders including former Tshwane mayor and Gauteng DA leader Solly Msimanga that the DA was viewed as grooming for crucial leadership roles within the party, and by extension, the government.
‘Incredibly talented’
In an interview with Business Day recently, DA leader John Steenhuisen said he has been in discussions with Baloyi about his future.
“He’s an incredibly talented man, and definitely someone I want in front and centre to our team in the DA because he’s really got a record of getting things done there,” he said.
“We have been in initial discussions. He [Baloyi] does have plans for the future and I’m willing to play a big part to make sure those plans come to fruition because I think he’s a huge part of the DA and a big part of our future, particularly as we start getting into government: provincially and nationally.”
It is not yet clear what will happen to Msimanga, the DA Gauteng leader, who unsuccessfully ran for the Gauteng premier position during the national election in 2019. Msimanga told Business Day on Thursday that it was too early to make a determination on what will happen in 2024.
“It will be a bit premature to say what will happen, but the party will, in due time, make a determination. I cannot wake up tomorrow and say I will be a premier candidate [in 2024],” he said.
At the just concluded November 1 local government polls, the DA retained control of the Midvaal local municipality with an increased majority of 62.69%, up from the 59.7% registered in 2016. The ANC is the official opposition having achieved 21.18% voter support.
The DA received a national voter support of 21.66% during the recent municipal elections, down from the 26.9% it registered in 2016.
Baloyi announced in March 2020 that he would not seek another term as mayor. He was succeeded by councillor Peter Teixeira on Monday.
Midvaal is ranked Gauteng’s top municipality regarding quality of life, having achieved a quality of life index score of 63 for 2020/2021, according to the Gauteng City-Region Observatory.
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