THE famous mlungu, Christopher Pappas, who is the mayor of uMngeni Municipality in KZN, has been announced as DA KZN premier candidate for the 2024 general elections.
The 32-year-old politician from Howick, KZN, who is fluent in Zulu, was announced as premier candidate by DA Federal leader John Steenhuisen at the Durban City Hall on Monday, 25 September.
Pappas made history in 2021 when he became the first DA mayor in KZN to lead uMngeni Municipality - the only municipality in the hands of the DA in KZN.
Steenhuisen said they came to KZN to light the candles to show KZN province to get out of the hands of the ANC and return power to the people, where it belongs.
“There is one person leading the municipality in this province. People are getting jobs, and the economy is moving forward.
“None of this would be possible if it were not led by a person of the highest integrity, a son of our soil who eats, breathes and sleeps with his community. We know how important it is to show that you care. Someone who is able to break down racial and language barriers and bring South Africans together as one, because we all know that South Africa belongs to everyone who lives in it,” he said.
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Steenhuisen said to lift KZN out of decline, corruption, maladministration, hunger and suffering, they are offering the candidate they know can make a difference.
Pappas said he was honoured to be chosen by the DA as premier candidate to carry a message of hope about KZN.
“My presence here is a result of the democratic political freedom won 30 years ago. Regardless of my identity, age, race, gender, sexuality and rural background, I stand before you ready to serve.
“But this political freedom, for which many have dedicated and lost their lives, must lead to opportunity, respect diversity and ensure fairness. We must work harder than ever to overcome our past of trying to segregate people based on the colour of their skin. But we can no longer shy away from the urgency of saving our province from the rapid decline of the last decade,” he said.
