In a candid interview with Just Gospel radio, Midvaal Mayor Peter Teixeira revealed how his Christian faith shapes his approach to public service and governance. Speaking openly about the intersection of faith and leadership, Teixeira emphasized the importance of servant leadership and accountability in his role as mayor of the Midvaal Local Municipality.
"I see myself as someone sent by God to serve the people," Teixeira stated, describing his journey to public office as a natural progression of leadership roles that began in his school years. He recounted an emotional moment when he first became a councilor, saying he "cried in the vehicle" on his way to sign his appointment letter, viewing it as divine purpose rather than mere political advancement.
Under Teixeira's leadership, Midvaal Municipality has implemented several initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable communities. The "Spread the Love" campaign, partnering with local businesses like Linker Meats, Harvest Fresh, and Eco Sand and Stone, provides relief packages to thousands of residents. The municipality also offers pro-poor policies, including free basic water and electricity allocations for qualifying indigent households.
Beyond immediate relief, Teixeira emphasizes sustainable development. "Just giving a food parcel alone is never enough," he explained, highlighting the municipality's investment in a new skills development center in Savannah City. The center aims to provide artisan training and other practical skills to make residents more employable.
The mayor credits his wife, Refilwe, whom he describes as "the prayer warrior at home," for providing crucial support during challenging times. He also acknowledged the spiritual guidance he receives from local religious leaders, particularly Pastor Jan Combrink and his wife, who regularly pray for both the mayor and the municipality.
Addressing the challenges of public leadership, Teixeira spoke about maintaining composure during heated public meetings, particularly during periods of social tension such as the recent load-shedding crisis. He attributes his calm demeanor to spiritual maturity and divine guidance, saying, "Sometimes I don't even know how I got out of that situation... it can only be the Lord."
The mayor recently participated in a leadership session in Stellenbosch focused on incorporating Christian values into governance, organized by Cassie Carstens, author of "A World Needs A Father." Teixeira was the only Gauteng mayor invited to the session, which explored ways to integrate faith-based principles into municipal governance.
Teixeira maintains that accountability and transparency are key to Midvaal's success, pointing to the municipality's practice of making all financial reports and decision-making processes publicly accessible. He credits his predecessors, including Martie Wenger, Timothy Nast, and Bongani Baloyi, for establishing this foundation of good governance.
Looking to the future, Teixeira advocates for a return to stronger religious values in public institutions, though he emphasizes respect for all faiths. He believes that governance guided by spiritual principles could be transformative for South Africa, stating, "If we could only turn to God as a country for some of the solutions that we or challenges that we are facing... we would be a much better country."
As Midvaal continues to develop under his leadership, Teixeira remains committed to blending practical governance with spiritual principles, demonstrating that public service and personal faith can work hand in hand to benefit the community.