Born in Cape Town, Plato was involved in political activities during his high school career.

In 2011, the Democratic Alliance nominated Patricia de Lille as the party's Cape Town mayoral candidate for the 2011 local government elections.

In August 2021, the DA nominated party spokesperson on finance and Member of Parliament, Geordin Hill-Lewis, as their mayoral candidate for the City of Cape Town for the municipal elections on 1 November 2021.

[1] Plato has been involved in political activities since high school, particularly in Cape Town's northern suburbs.

He served two terms as Chairperson of the City of Cape Town's Economic Development, Tourism and Property Management Portfolio Committee.

[7] Plato introduced many job creation projects and made reducing unemployment one of the focus points of his mayoral agenda.

[8] In 2011, Plato declared his intention to seek a full term as Mayor of Cape Town ahead of the 2011 municipal elections.

She said in a statement: "I am confident he will make a major contribution, not only to the community safety portfolio but to the provincial cabinet as a whole."

[12] In October 2018, Zille announced that the Provincial Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde, would succeed Plato.

[13] In August 2018, Plato declared his candidacy to replace De Lille as Mayor of Cape Town after she had announced her intention to resign on 31 October 2018.

[20][21] In April 2021, Plato applied to be the DA's mayoral candidate for the City of Cape Town for the 2021 local government elections.

[22] Plato was reported to be upset with the party's decision and mulled resigning from politics, though he pledged to support Hill-Lewis's campaign.

[23][24] Plato delivered his last speech to the Cape Town City Council as Executive Mayor on 29 September 2021 and received a standing ovation.

[26] Following Geordin Hill-Lewis's election as Mayor of Cape Town on 17 November 2021, Plato served as an ordinary councillor.

In December 2021, the DA announced that Plato would be taking up Bonginkosi Madikizela's seat in the Provincial Parliament.

Premier Alan Winde's spokesperson Cayla Murray dismissed speculation in a short statement.

On returning to the Provincial Parliament, Plato said that he was "glad to be back home" and that he has "no regrets" about leaving the City of Cape Town.