GOOD Speech by Patricia de Lille,
GOOD Leader & Minister of Tourism
23 May 2026
*Note to Editor: This speech was given today during the RISE Mzansi Mayoral Launch in Johannesburg
It is my pleasure to be here today to endorse a young leader for Mayor of this great City of Johannesburg.
I have long respected Lukhona Mnguni for his seriousness.
That is, his seriousness about the privilege and the duty of political power and elected office.
As a political analyst, and commentator, he has been consistently astute and he has consistently demanded what every South African deserves – service and excellence.
Now he is putting his hand up to lead this great City and I expect he is the new generation of leader Joburg needs.
As they say…”commeth the hour, commeth the man”.
Or let’s say – the moment finds the person.
I spent the better half of my life fighting in the struggle to liberate our country from the evil of colonialism and apartheid.
For all those years it was a sacrifice my family made in order for me to act upon the powerful conviction I had: that South Africa deserved freedom and that freedom would truly mean a better life for all.
In 1994 we achieved democracy but we have a long way to go still for all South Africans to enjoy freedom and a better life.
And so we continue to serve and to fight for the right of every South African to live in dignity, with a real roof over their head, food on the table, and a decent job.
Such basic things some of us take for granted but which are still a hope for the millions of people who live with intolerable suffering.
As we say in GOOD: “we have to stop the suffering”.
Sometimes people ask me how I can work with the ANC after having first exposed
the extent of the corruption, and rot, that took hold of our liberated country – when I blew the whistle on the arms deal 28 years ago!
It’s unimaginable that that was 28 years ago – apparently the accused will go on trial soon!
But, when I’m asked that question I always say “I can serve my country, which I love, in any capacity”.
And since the 1994 elections I have had the privilege to serve in many capacities, and in executive office, in all three spheres of government.
One of the most impactful offices I held was as Mayor of Cape Town for seven years.
The office of Executive Mayor is an opportunity to serve with immediacy and to lead a government to directly solve the problems of our people.
The problems of our people knows no colour and no party affiliation.
When you serve as Executive Mayor you serve a City of people who look to you and your government to take responsibility and take action – regardless of who they are or where they live.
It is not an office of unfettered power. But it is an office of unfettered duty. And it comes with influence.
And influence is why it is so important that we elect an ethical Executive Mayor who will use the powers he has with empathy and with humility about the complexity.
Influenced by his mandate and his values – and not by the hidden hand of unelected political party influencers.
As the longest serving Executive Mayor of Cape Town I can say, with unmatched experience, that voters must be cautious about those parties campaigning around personal saviours.
Leading a City government requires collaboration, listening, sharing leadership with your team and being able to engage with dissent.
As you know, RISE and GOOD, are contesting these elections under a combined national campaign and that RISE will be the leading party, and the party on the ballot in Gauteng, while GOOD will be the leading party, and the party on the ballot, in the Western Cape.
Therefore, RISE and GOOD are offering the people of the City of Joburg, a credible alternative.
A campaign led by Lukhona Mnguni, OUR mayoral candidate.
We are offering leadership that is competent but humble, decisive but humane, strategic but emotionally intelligent.
Lukhona embodies the Joburg of 2026, not 1986, and he represents the Joburg of the future.
His leadership of the powerhouse City of Joburg will hand the baton to the next generation of leaders where it rightfully belongs.
We must thank him for being willing to step up, step forward and walk his own talk.
It is easy to be an armchair critic. It is courageous to respond to this hour of need in Joburg by saying I am willing and able to serve.
Young South Africans must lead.
Thank you Lukhona. People of Joburg this is what they call a once in a generation opportunity. Don’t miss the opportunity to be better served.
Media Enquiries: media@forgood.org.za