If there is one thing about Mayor of Umngeni, Chris Pappas, he will always steal the show. On Saturday he was spotted doing a traditional Zulu dance on stage as the DA KZN Congress officially began in Durban. Pappas, who is currently the provincial deputy leader has asked not to be re-elected so that he can focus on his work as mayor. Dressed in a traditional Zulu attire, Pappas dished some well polished traditional moves like a real Zulu man. Even DA leader John Steenhuisen couldn’t hold in, we saw him dancing to the Maskandi music plated as Pappas stole the show.

 

 

 

One outstanding thing about Pappas is that he speaks isiZulu fluently. As the only DA mayor in KwaZulu-Natal, Pappas (31) has been getting a lot of media coverage. The DA has hoisted him as a poster boy of what its leaders should do once they are elected into a position of responsibility. Some have even suggested that he will be the party’s candidate for premier in the province.

Papas has won many hearts in KwaZulu-Natal. He said the municipality was in a shambles when he became mayor. “There were very few systems and operating procedures in place, which meant that the municipality was on autopilot… The finances were in a precarious position, with us having to choose between Eskom and salaries and delivering services. Our collection rate was below 85% and our debtors’ book was increasing at a faster pace”, Pappas said as he spoke to Daily Maverick.

It is not surprising that there are calls for Pappas to assume senior role. He is the most popular leader of the DA in the province right now, and his profile is bigger than that of the current party leader. Recently, Pappas touched a nerve when he called out the ANC for its failure to deliver meals to thousands of. Pappas has won many hearts by the way he relates to black people and his caring trait. Even the ANC feels threatened by him.