Hlaudi Motsoeneng hoping for a seat in Parliament but contesting only in Free State

By: Natasha Archary

Former SABC COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng is hoping for a seat in Parliament but is only contesting in the Free State.

The leader of the African Content Movement (ACM) says funding was a problem in him contesting the upcoming elections in more than one province.

Motsoeneng who did not join ranks with other parties who were hoping to gain strength in numbers in a bid to overthrow the ruling African National Congress (ANC), shared with Phemelo Motene on Point of View that he did not secure funding for his political campaign.

Undeterred by the lack of support for his political ambitions, Motsoeneng rejected uMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party) and African Congress for Transformation (ACT) because he has his sights set on a solo run this year.

Motsoeneng who is looking to win the provincial elections in the Free State, is running his campaign without an election manifesto.

“What is a manifesto? I’m not a follower, I’m a leader. I have my own brain to think about issues.

So, I can’t talk about a manifesto because a manifesto to me, means something else. It can’t resolve the issues in South Africa.

I’m not funded by anyone. I know I will have most of the votes from home in the Free State, and I’m not aligning with any party because I’m here for my party.

I don’t want to think about aligning with any party, because the voters will decide what they want. If there’s a need for a coalition, the votes will decide that, and I will decide after the elections whether I will need to join a coalition. For now, that is not my focus.”

His failed tenure at the SABC is not going to stop Motsoeneng from running for office

In 2017 Hlaudi Motsoeneng was dismissed from the SABC after being found guilty of running the public broadcaster into the ground.

Almost a year after being ordered to pay back the R11.5 million success fee that was paid to him by the former SABC Board, Motsoeneng says he has no intention of paying back a cent.

When a Kaya 959 listener called him a bloviator (someone who makes empty, pompous political speech) Motsoeneng simply laughed and said he appreciates the criticism because he knows he has what it takes to lead.

“I always appreciate because I know I’m capable to lead because one thing that a leader needs, is you need to have a caring heart, you need to know pain.

When people are suffering, you see they are suffering you need to suffer. When people are saying we are unemployed, we can’t take our children to school, you can’t sleep as a leader, you must work 24-hours.

I demonstrated this when I was at the SABC, the cleaners will tell you, the security will tell you, the workers, I said they must be paid well.

I have a caring heart, firstly a leader must have a caring heart. As a leader, I am not the one that’s going to be doing the work, but I must be able to lead people to perform and do the work.”

Without a manifesto, Motsoeneng didn’t reveal his plans to lead South Africa but said he wants to create a generation of citizens who have sustainable knowledge and education.

While he has no intention of scrapping the R350 social relief grants, Motsoeneng said he wants to create more job opportunities so that the number of people who needs grants is reduced.

Also read: WATCH: A focus on Gauteng as an economic HUB with Action SA and BOSA

Written by: Natasha

ACM African Content Movement elections 2024 Hlaudi Mtsoeneng