Meet ActionSA’s mayoral candidate for Tshwane

The 2021 local government elections will arguably be one of the highest contested elections with more than 300 political parties vying for the top spot.

Several parties are in the race to win the Tshwane metro, one of the biggest municipalities in the country with an estimated urban population of over 2.6 million.

One such party is the newly established ActionSA and here is their mayoral candidate:

1. Tell us about yourself?

I, Abel Tau, was born in Winterveldt on October 11, 1978 and started school at Tidimalong primary school, then matriculated in 1995 at I.R Lesolang high school.

I started as an apprentice at the then Spoornet, qualified as a diesel electrical fitter by trade and rose through the ranks to become a senior superintendent by the time I left in 2017.

My leadership journey started in high school when I was elected deputy SRC President of the first-ever SRC at I.R lesolang in 1995.

I went on to be a shop steward at Transnet between 2006 and 2010 shortly before I became a technical supervisor.

2. Background of your political career?

In 2016 I was elected ward councillor for ward 92 here in Tshwane.

In 2017 I was elected the regional chairperson of the blue party when I was still with them.

In 2019 I was appointed MMC of utility services in the city and later became acting Mayor until we were placed under administration.

3. Why did you enter politics?

I believe that politics chose me. At a very young age I noticed that things were not normal in the society I lived in.

The City Rocks massacre in 1986 left an indelible mark in my life.

I knew then that something needed to happen but didn’t know what exactly.

Later in my youth I was involved in local civic structures in the area I stayed at in block HH, Soshanguve.

I entered politics to make a difference. In 2016 I realised we could no longer stand on the side and watch our city slide into more degradation, lawlessness, joblessness and failure.

At the time I believed the party I was with would make a difference. Realising that this organisation is not committed to saving South Africa, just like Herman Mashaba, I wanted to be on the path of saving SA.

4. What is your vision for the city?

My vision for the city of Tshwane is:

– Improved service delivery.

– Insourcing of vulnerable workers.

– Providing clean drinkable water.

– Fighting crime.

– Improving financial health by fixing the billing crisis and improving collections.

– Professionalise the public service.

– Fighting corruption in all its forms.

5. What change do you hope to bring?

– Confidence into public office. We have to make people believe again.

– I want to deliver on all our promises.

I can put my head on a block that we are going to see marked changes in the city.

ALSO READ: Cope mayoral candidate has big plans for the capital city

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