By: Natasha Archary
City of Joburg Mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda refuses to answer questions about his educational qualifications.
Addressing media in Alexandra at the launch of a clean up campaign, Gwamanda said his academic history is only being questioned as a means to discredit him.
Gwamanda, who has been accused of defrauding the public in a funeral investment scheme said the allegations against him are frivolous and he is ready to defend himself in court.
The mayor whose educational qualifications have been questioned following his election as Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, asked if the same scrutiny was given to DA leader John Steenhuisen over his educational qualifications.
Steenhuisen has been leader of the DA since 2019 and managed to retain his position at the party in the upcoming elections, despite only having a matric qualification.
The DA leader edged out Dr Mpho Phalatse as the party leader who holds several qualifications, including a medical degree.
Gwamanda further hit back at journalists in Alexandra on Tuesday, 16 May asking if the qualifying criteria to be mayor is influenced by his skin colour.
“Look the criticism that comes, are ordinarily from those who use processes outside of the prescribed framework that elects leadership.
This applies to local government, provincial or national government, so if in fact it is a pain for me to become Executive Mayor in the City of Johannesburg, I would advise that they do what they do best and approach the courts.
So I am allowed an opportunity to defend myself, because nobody knows who I am, what I bring, and the potential in which the coalition partners have in me.”
Kabelo Gwamanda said his position has clearly ruffled feathers, which can only be a good thing, because it means he’s a threat to his naysayers.
