By Lehlohonolo Lehana
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal has announced Chris Pappas as it’s candidate for Premier in the province ahead of the 2024 elections.
DA leader John Steenhuisen made the announcement earlier at the City Hall in Durban .
Steenhuisen says he is confident Pappas will restore KwaZulu-Natal to its former glory.
He says Pappas has proven he is a man of integrity.
Premier hopeful Pappas said, ” I commit to playing my part to bring change in the province, I choose to be courageous, Lets unite behind in the Democratic Alliance and rescue KZN.”
Pappas took the reins as the mayor of the uMngeni Local Municipality after local government elections in 2021.
He was catapulted into this position after his party snatched the municipality from the rival ANC in that month’s local government poll — the only municipality in the province that the DA won outright.
The municipality comprises the former Transitional Local Council areas of Howick and Hilton, the Worlds View area and a substantial amount of farmland. It is one of the tiniest municipalities in South Africa and has 1,567km² within its boundary.
Its council consists of 25 members elected by mixed-member proportional representation. Twelve councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in 12 wards, and the remainder are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received.
Previously, the ANC had won a majority in each of the 2000, 2006, 2011 and 2016 local elections. In 2021, the DA won a majority of 13 seats in the council.
This allowed Pappas, who speaks isiZulu fluently, to take the reins.
The 32-year-old is known for his work ethic and people skills.
Pappas has been credited with clearing the municipal debt, improving audit outcomes and improving the traffic department, among other achievements.