Mpho Phalatse Says Herman Mashaba Should Attend Mayoral Debates if He Wants to Be Mayor
- Former Johannesburg mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse responded to Herman Mashaba's absence from the 702 Mayoral Candidate Debate on 10 September 2026
- Phalatse revealed she once resisted debating Mashaba herself out of personal feelings and respect, before her executive coach set her straight
- Mashaba's no-show at the debate ahead of the 6 November 2026 Local Government Elections drew sharp criticism from South Africans online
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JOHANNESBURG — Former Johannesburg mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse has publicly called out ActionSA's mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba for skipping the Radio 702 Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate Debate held on 10 September 2026, saying any person who genuinely wants to lead the city should show up.
Phalatse posted her remarks on X on 11 September 2026, tagging @Radio702 and using the hashtag #JHBMayoralCandidateDebate. Democratic Alliance candidate Helen Zille and Economic Freedom Fighters Johannesburg mayoral candidate Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng both participated in the debate, while Mashaba did not appear.
Phalatse's own lesson in political readiness
In her post, Phalatse admitted she initially wanted nothing to do with debating Mashaba when she stood for the mayorship in 2021. She attributed her reluctance to their shared working history and the cultural respect she held for him as an elder.
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"I was in my feelings, and not in the work," she wrote.
She recalled that her executive coach warned her plainly:
"If you're concerned about feelings, you're not ready for mayorship."
She described the moment as a turning point that pushed her to set aside personal reservations and focus on the responsibilities of seeking office.
Drawing directly on that experience, Phalatse offered a straightforward conclusion:
"Herman Mashaba should attend Mayoral Candidate Debates himself if he wants to be Mayor."
South Africans react to Mashaba's absence
Phalatse's post prompted a range of responses online.
@Xolani_khabazel wrote:
"Good...I struggle to understand why a politician would decline an opportunity to sell himself in the election season. That means his not ready for office."
@siyanda_nje took aim at Mashaba's record, posting:
"Fun fact: they called Herman Mashaba an EFF mayor because all the 'success' he had was due to implementing EFF ideologies and using EFF support and MMC's. The EFF carried him."
@RMaakee questioned the logic of seniority in political contests, writing:
"But if a debate will be solely based on genuine engagements, facts, and really about development, why would you even have issues with 'respect for the elders'? Does it have to get to that extent?"
@LetswaiNameng suggested Mashaba may be reading public sentiment, saying:
"Maybe he is aware that the majority of ordinary COJ citizens are sick and tired of cheap talk. We want a hands-on approach to service delivery and not fancy Oxford dictionary talk."
The Local Government Elections are scheduled for 6 November 2026.
Zille cannot win Joburg without Soweto: Mashaba
In a related article, Briefly News reported on Herman Mashaba’s rejection of Helen Zille’s bid to become Johannesburg mayor. Mashaba said no candidate can win the metro without meaningful support from Soweto.
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