Neighbours of new Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda’s mother have described him as a selfless and caring person.
One of the neighbours in Protea North, Soweto, Muneiwa Mapukule, 27, said Gwamanda was like a brother to him.
“He is somebody who looks out for people. He won’t leave you when you have a crisis. I do welding and electrical repairs. Kabelo will always tell me to go fix certain stuff at his mother’s place and he would pay me. About four weeks ago I installed a geyser in his mother’s home and he paid me R1,500. He is helpful,” said Mapukule.
He said he knew nothing about Gwamanda’s businesses and allegations against him.
Sibongiseni Mtshali, 35, said Gwamanda was an activist and knowledgeable person.
“Whenever he is here in Protea to see his mother, he stays indoors. He doesn’t like going out to taverns, clubs and parties. He is a very active person in the community. Whenever there is a community meeting, he would tell us about it and encourage us to go.
“He would also share employment opportunities with us because he would share with us how pained he is about seeing young people in Soweto unemployed,” said Mtshali.
Hlulane Ndlala, 26, said Gwamanda loved greeting people whenever he went to the shops.
“He is a gentleman. A very humble and quiet person. He loved checking up on people in the neighbourhood and asked them how they are,” said Ndlala.
Al-Jama-ah Joburg councillor Imraan Ismail-Moosa said Gwamanda was born and raised in Protea North.
Gwamanda told Sowetan he was very humble, loved people and hated to see the next person lacking passion about black child development.
Ismail-Moosa said Gwamanda served as a political advisor to former executive mayors Geoff Makhubo, Jolidee Matongo and Mpho Moerane. Makhubo and Matongo died in 2021 due to Covid-19 and a car crash, respectively.
Moerane died in May 2022 from injuries sustained in a car crash.
Ismail-Moosa said Gwamanda now lived in Roodepoort with his wife and children.
kokam@sowetan.co.za
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