By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has resigned as mayor of Central Karoo District municipality in the Western Cape.
In his letter on Tuesday, McKenzie listed what he claimed were his achievements as mayor, including the complete removal of pit toilets and renovation of swimming pools.
He said they were able to assist and improve the lives of people in the Beaufort West municipality through fundraising rather than depending on budgets offered by the government.
“All the bucket toilets, pools, water solutions, and more were done using private money we fundraised.
“It demonstrated how it is possible to achieve great things without needing the kinds of budgets that officials shamelessly ask for. One must just be efficient and not lose money towards corruption at every step of the way.”
“I am also grateful for seeing opportunities here while others saw delay and disuse. This can-do attitude is what we need throughout the country, which is why I am leaving the Karoo to focus on the greater challenge before us all of fixing our beloved country.”
McKenzie said he was particularly proud of how he showed a firm hand in dealing with administrators who did not put the municipality first.
He said he had not reached all the targets he set in the Karoo, and so would stay on as a volunteer to ensure he finished everything he promised the residents. “I want to thank the staff, coalition partners [ANC and KDF] and this party. I also want to thank the opposition for keeping us on our toes throughout.”
McKenzie expressed gratitude to friends and volunteers who selflessly supported all the changes he brought, saying he never took a cent from the municipality throughout his term.
McKenzie has also thrown his hat into the ring to become the next City of Johannesburg (CoJ) mayor.
City of Joburg is set to elect a new executive mayor on Friday after failing to do so in special council meeting earlier today.
McKenzie, jailed decades ago as a teenager for a failed bank robbery, went on to become a motivational speaker, author and businessperson. He founded the PA in 2013 with his friend Kenny Kunene – with the pair acting as party president and deputy president, respectively.
A farewell event was hosted over the weekend at Rustdene Stadium to celebrate McKenzie’s tenure as mayor, with artist Dr. Malinga, DJ Cleo and Master KG performing.