Is Skeem GP Our Generation's Nelson Mandela: The Case For Skeem GP Mayorship
On 24 May 2021, I stepped out for a walk around 7pm with a friend. It was a relatively uneventful day in the neighbourhood, accompanied by the repetitive shrieks of grasshoppers at night and the flickering last breaths of the streetlights. In the moments after separating from my mate, him going his way and me mine, I was stabbed, beaten and robbed of my cellphone and dignity. All I could think, as I went in and out of consciousness, was how great my perpetrator would be as mayor of my town one day.
Last week, the prominent and reliable party Afrika Mayibuye Movement unveiled Themba “Skeem GP” Nzimande as their mayoral candidate for the City of Ekurhuleni.
Nzimande faced ridicule, mockery and scrutiny after a rough interview with Xoli “Skeem KZN” Mngambi of Newzroom Afrika. Nzimande is an ex-convicted cash-in-transit offender who runs a moderately successful podcast and has a show on Moja Love, where he finds wanted criminals. The interview, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views across various platforms, is a reminder of why I personally choose to never go on the news.
Skeem GP later apologised for the appearance, saying that he was unable to fully explain the programmes set out by the movement and that he was taken aback by the interrogative nature of the live news interview.
Many have fought back, outlining the lack of credentials and concern for citizens involved in nominating an ex-convict to be the mayor of a South African metro.
“I thought we could trust Floyd Shivambu,” said one angry resident of Ekurhuleni.
However, it seems that we might have all missed the point.
We have a service delivery, basic necessities and crime problem in our metros. We have tried career politicians, academics and TV personalities, and they have all failed to deliver the necessary changes to our metros.
What if, this time, we go the opposite way?
What would be so bad about getting a former criminal to help fight current criminals? Skeem GP could be that former criminal.
Yes, sure, he doesn’t have governing experience or knowledge, but you know who else didn’t have those skills when he assumed office?
Nelson Mandela.
Lead us, Skeem GP!
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