Bongani Baloyi


Bongani Michael Baloyi is a South African politician. In 2013, at the age of 26, he was elected the Executive Mayor of the Midvaal Local Municipality and consequently became the youngest mayor in South Africa. He was formerly the MMC for Development and Planning in the municipality. Baloyi is a member of the Democratic Alliance.

Early life

Baloyi was born on 28 January 1987 in the Thokoza township outside Alberton in the East Rand. He took an interest in politics at a young age.

Political career

Baloyi became a member of the Democratic Alliance in 2005. He has been a member of the Vaal Region Executive Committee, the Provincial Executive Committee and the Federal Council. He was a participant of the DA's Young Leaders Programme.
He was elected a PR councillor of the Midvaal municipality in 2011 and became the MMC for Development and Planning. Incumbent mayor Timothy Nast resigned in July 2013 following his appointment to the Gauteng Planning Commission. Baloyi was chosen as his successor and took office on 29 August 2013. He won a full term as mayor in August 2016.
Under Baloyi's leadership, Midvaal achieved six consecutive unqualified audits. Baloyi and an ANC member were arrested on 29 September 2018 after laying assault charges against one another, following an incident at an Arbor Day event in Savannah City. He was released on bail. His assault case was later withdrawn.
In March 2020, he announced that he would not seek another term as mayor in 2021. Baloyi has been mentioned as a possible DA leadership candidate.