Cope mayoral candidate has big plans for the capital city
The hopeful mayoral candidate explained his political career dated back to when he was a member of the SA Students Congress when he was still a student at the University of Venda.
The Congress of the People, commonly referred to as Cope, had big plans in store for the Tshwane metro through its mayoral candidate Murunwa Makwarela, if it came out victorious in the upcoming local government elections set to take place at the beginning of November.
Tell us about yourself
Makwarela, who is currently the Tshwane regional chairperson for Cope, is a genetics engineer registered as a professional scientist with South African Council of Natural Scientists.
His educational background includes a PhD in genetic engineering obtained from both Wits University and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St Louis, Missouri in the United States of America in 2005.
“My career started in 2000 as an academic and researcher in genetic engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand,” Makwarela said.
Thereafter, he said he proceeded to head the gene bank division at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) between 2005 and 2007 where he led a team of scientists who were responsible for the conservation and maintenance of all South African vegetables and ornamental genetic resources.
“I also worked in government as the SED: Agriculture and Environmental Management in the City of Tshwane from 2007 to 2012,” he said.
Makwarela said he moved the TAHAL Group – a top water, wastewater and agriculture civil engineering multinational company based in Israel – as its CEO for its South African subsidiary for three years.
“In 2015, I pursued my entrepreneurial interests in agriculture and environmental management in both private and government sectors,” he said.
The mayoral position hopeful served in many private and state-owned entities as a non-executive director as a committee member and board chairperson.
“To date, I am also currently one of the founders and chairperson of the first top three African cannabis licensed companies which are based in Lesotho. Our work includes cultivating, manufacturing and distributing various cannabis products,” Makwarela said, adding that he was also chair of the Joburg market board.
Makwarela is an ordained and senior pastor at the Righteousness of God ministries alongside his wife Melica, also a pastor at the church.
They have daughters – Ntsumi, currently completing her studies towards a BSc in geomatics at the University of Cape Town, and Mulisa who is completing her Grade 12 in Franschhoek, Paarl.
Background of your political career
“I started my political activism as a student at the University of Venda as a member of Sasco, and later as chairperson of the science society, an affiliate of the SRC in the early 90s,” he said.
Later on, Makwarela said he then became a member of the Nehawu branch based at the ARC Roodeplaat, and in 2006 became a member then secretary of the ANC greater Montana branch until 2010.
“I left the party in 2012, after falling victim to ANC factional battles. I later joined Cope as my new and current political home in 2020,” he said, adding that he was elected as the Tshwane regional convenor in November 2020, then regional chairperson in July 2021.
Why did you enter politics?
“I have a love for the people and would therefore want to contribute towards social democracy by offering my academic, management and governance skills and experience that I have assimilated over the years,” Makwarela said.
He said politics offered such a platform to him – “participating in the constitutional democracy by improving the living conditions of our people most importantly the marginalised poor”.
What is your vision for the city?
Makwarela said his vision for the city was to restore the dignity of residents by providing them with sustainable and predictable services.
“I also want to introduce masterplans and feasibility studies for water and sanitation towards rural and urban integrated development that will cater for the growing number of informal settlements to enable proper service delivery and formalisation of such areas,” he said.
Also, he said he wanted to fight corruption, nepotism and cronyism in the Tshwane metro, “which grossly undermines service delivery to residents”.
What change do you hope to bring?
“I hope to bring about good governance through the experience I have accumulated over the years both in government and private sector.”
Makwarela said he also wanted to see heightened accountability in the city and consequence management for wrongdoing should his bid for the top seat be successful.
ALSO READ: Gogo encourages young people to vote
**We acknowledge that the print and digital media plays an important role when it comes to informing communities before and during election periods.
Caxton Local Media tells readers what they must know on the practicalities of voting, and provides information regarding the right and duty to vote. Where necessary, we de-bunk mis- and disinformation relating to elections.
We reflect a multiplicity of voices in our pre-election and election reporting, and do not allow favouritism or biasedness in favour of any party or candidate. Where topics are discussed by political representatives [or commentators – optional], or where reporting features various parties or figures, we allow for the reflection of multiple voices of all those involved. Being balanced is our goal.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
#IMADEMYMARK
