Who is Zohran Mamdani? The Cape Town-educated politician shaking up New York politics

Mike Wills (in for CapeTalk's John Maytham) is joined by Faiez Jacobs — former Member of Parliament and founder of The Transcendence Group.

Listen below:

He's the Ugandan-born, Cape Town-educated politician who appears poised to become New York's next mayor.

According to Wikipedia, he's also a rapper who holds a BA degree in Africana studies.

So just who is Zohran Mamdani?

The young, progressive New York politician with Cape Town roots is reshaping what local leadership can look like. 

For Jacobs, Mamdani's victory in the Democratic primary isn’t just about winning office, it’s about the return of people-centred politics.

"He's real people's person... a real son of the soil."

- Faiez Jacobs, Former MP & Founder of The Transcendence Group

"He is basically facilitating the agency of people. His message is very clear... he says he wants to make New York affordable for all New Yorkers."

- Faiez Jacobs, Former MP & Founder of The Transcendence Group

Jacobs suggests Mamdani's approach is one that could work well in a city like Cape Town, given the various similarities between the two cities.

"Cape Town is increasingly unaffordable, just like New York. Housing, health, crime... it's not affordable."

- Faiez Jacobs, Former MP & Founder of The Transcendence Group

"He focuses on bread and butter issues... there's a lot of really important messages that South Africans and Capetonians must learn from him."

- Faiez Jacobs, Former MP & Founder of The Transcendence Group

Read Jacobs' latest piece for IOL: 'From Astoria to Athlone: What Zohran Mamdani’s Mayoral Run Means for Cape Town’s Future Politics'

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.