Solly Msimanga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Solly Msimanga
MPL
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Msimanga in 2017
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| Provincial Leader of the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng |
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| Assumed office 14 November 2020 Acting: 2 September 2020 - 14 November 2020 |
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| Preceded by | John Moodey |
| Leader of the Opposition in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature | |
| Assumed office 22 May 2019 |
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| Premier | David Makhura Panyaza Lesufi |
| Preceded by | John Moodey |
| Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature | |
| Assumed office 12 February 2019 |
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| In office 21 May 2014 – 19 August 2016 |
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| Mayor of Tshwane | |
| In office 19 August 2016 – 11 February 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Kgosientso Ramokgopa |
| Succeeded by | Stevens Mokgalapa |
| Provincial Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng | |
| In office 22 November 2014 – 18 November 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Moriarty |
| Succeeded by | Michael Moriarty |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Solly Tshepiso Msimanga
16 July 1980 Atteridgeville, Pretoria, South Africa |
| Political party | Democratic Alliance (2006–present) |
| Spouse | Monde Msimanga (former) |
| Children | Amogelang Msimanga Aobokwe Msimanga |
| Alma mater | University of Pretoria (BCompt) |
Solly Tshepiso Msimanga was born on 16 July 1980. He is a South African politician. He currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. This means he leads the main political party that is not in charge in the Gauteng province.
He has been a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature since February 2019. Before that, he was the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality from 2016 to 2019. He also led the Democratic Alliance (DA) party in Gauteng as its Provincial Chairperson from 2014 to 2017. Solly Msimanga is the DA's top choice to become the Premier of Gauteng in the upcoming 2024 elections.
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Early Life and School Days
Solly Tshepiso Msimanga was born in Atteridgeville. This is a township located west of Pretoria, South Africa. He went to Isaac Moré Primary School. He also attended Patogeng Higher Primary and Saulridge High School. After school, he studied at the University of Pretoria. He earned a diploma in marketing management and a BCompt degree there.
Starting His Career
Before entering politics, Msimanga worked in different fields. He was involved with an organisation called Project Literacy. He also worked at the Liberian embassy for a time. Later, he was employed by the United States embassy. He held a national director position for Legal Education And Development. He also had important leadership roles in private companies.
Joining Politics
Solly Msimanga first joined the DA political party in 2006. He went to a DA event and then wrote to the party. He shared his ideas on how they could improve their campaigns. Soon after, the party's CEO, Ryan Coetzee, offered him a job.
He started to move up in the party. In May 2011, he was chosen to be part of the Tshwane City Council. In the same year, he became the leader of the DA in the Gauteng North region. In May 2014, Msimanga was elected as a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. He became the party's spokesperson for sports. He also worked on committees for Education and Economic Development.
Becoming a Mayor
In September 2015, Solly Msimanga was chosen as the DA's candidate for Mayor of the City of Tshwane. This was for the 2016 local elections. He won against other candidates for this role. After the election, the DA became the biggest party. However, they did not have enough votes to win alone.
To become Mayor, the DA formed a team with smaller parties. They also got support from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Because of this, Msimanga was elected as the Executive Mayor of Tshwane without anyone opposing him. He was the first person from the DA to hold this important position.
Leading Tshwane City
When he became Mayor, Msimanga said he wanted to stop "blue-lights brigades." These are convoys of cars with flashing lights for VIPs. He said only the President should have them. He believed the people living in the city were the most important VIPs.
In May 2018, it was found that his chief of staff, Marietha Aucamp, had given wrong information about her qualifications. She resigned shortly after. An investigation later confirmed that her appointment was not lawful.
In August 2018, both the EFF and the African National Congress (ANC) tried to remove Msimanga as Mayor. They wanted a "motion of no confidence." This is a vote to say they no longer support the leader. The EFF's motion was not allowed because it did not follow the rules. The ANC then withdrew their motion.
On 27 September 2018, Msimanga faced another motion of no confidence from the ANC. He survived this vote. Most councillors voted against removing him.
Msimanga's last months as Mayor involved issues with a large contract given to a company called GladAfrica. This contract was given by the City Manager, Moeketsi Mosola. Msimanga tried to suspend Mosola. The DA also tried to remove Mosola from his job many times. Mosola later announced he would leave his position in July 2019.
On 18 January 2019, Msimanga announced he would step down as Mayor of Tshwane. He wanted to focus on his campaign to become Premier of Gauteng. He officially resigned on 11 February 2019. Stevens Mokgalapa took over as Mayor. Msimanga then became a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
Life After Being Mayor
Leading the Opposition
On 19 August 2018, Msimanga was chosen as the DA's candidate for Premier of Gauteng. This was for the 2019 general elections. He won this nomination against other well-known candidates.
In the elections on 8 May 2019, the African National Congress (ANC) won just enough votes to stay in charge in Gauteng. The Democratic Alliance remained the main opposition party. Msimanga was chosen to lead the DA group in the legislature. He officially became the Leader of the Opposition on 22 May 2019.
Becoming a Provincial Leader
Msimanga was chosen as the acting leader of the DA in Gauteng on 2 September 2020. This happened after the previous leader, John Moodey, left the party. Msimanga then ran for the full leadership role in November. He won by a large number of votes against James Lorimer.
At a DA meeting on 12 August 2023, Msimanga won a second term as provincial leader. He won against Khume Ramulifho. On 13 September 2023, DA leader John Steenhuisen announced that Msimanga would again be the party's candidate for Premier of Gauteng in the 2024 provincial election.
His Family Life
Solly Msimanga married Monde Msimanga in 2006. They had two children, a daughter named Amogelang and a son named Aobokwe. Solly and Monde worked together on a charity project. It was called “Make Somebody’s Christmas a Merry One.” This project gives groceries to families who need help. Solly and Monde later divorced. Monde passed away in June 2022.
In May 2021, Msimanga was involved in an incident while visiting his cousin. A man claimed Msimanga owed him money. The man later apologised and said it was a misunderstanding. He confirmed no money was owed.
Images for kids
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Msimanga in 2017
