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MUSICAL CHAIRS

Al Jama-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda voted in as latest mayor of Joburg

After more than a week of Johannesburg not having a mayor, council voted in Kabelo Gwamanda as the ninth mayor of Johannesburg since 2016.
Al Jama-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda voted in as latest mayor of Joburg Johannesburg council chambers during the 16th extraordinary council meeting which has the election of a new mayor for the City of Johannesburg as an item on May 05, 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The city's council convened for a special meeting to elect a new executive mayor following the resignation of Al Jama-ah's Thapelo Amad from the position last month. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sydney Seshibedi)
Queenin Masuabi
By Queenin Masuabi
5 May 2023
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Soweto-born Kabelo Gwamanda was voted in by 139 councillors, the DA’s Mpho Phalatse received 68 votes, ActionSA’s Funzi Ngobeni 59 votes and there were no spoilt votes. 

He is the ninth mayor of Joburg since 2016. The eight to date are: Parks Tau (2016), Herman Mashaba (2016/19), Geoff Makhubo (2020/21), Mpho Moerane (2021), Jolidee Matongo (2021), Mpho Phalatse (2021/22), Dada Morero (2022) and Thapelo Amad (2023). 

Amad is also a member of the Al Jama-ah party, with three seats in the metro.

Speaking to Al Jama- ah leader Ganief  Hendricks, he explained that Gwamanda was well-equipped for the position. 

He said Gwamanda was an advisor to his office. Gwamanda was also an adviser for the executive mayor during the tenures of Geoff Makhubo, Jolidee Matongo and Mpho Moerane. He is the secretary of the minority parties in council.

Council proceedings started at 10:30 am and this time around there were only minor delays. The council initially reached a quorum with 252 councillors but after a final headcount was done 258 were confirmed to be present.

Speaker Colleen Makhubele, however, confirmed that only 266 councillors cast their votes.

In a statement, the DA took a stab at the ANC and EFF alliance, saying that it "regrets the decision of the majority of Johannesburg City Councillors to double down on the disaster of installing ANC-EFF puppet mayors incapable of governing the City with competence, public trust, and stability". DM

This is a developing story and may be updated

Comments

ALAN PATERSON May 5, 2023, 05:40 PM

Another Mickey Mouse Mayor. What more can I say?

Paul Davis May 5, 2023, 05:49 PM

This is called a "gaffe" and we have so many of them in SA - in fact, daily

Richard Bryant May 5, 2023, 07:54 PM

It just shows how little regard the ANC and EFF and other no name brands care for the Constitution and voters. For them it’s only about staying in power so they can keep their snouts in the feeding trough. The EFF stance of anything but the ANC now only with the ANC, anything bit Zuma now Zuma’s our friend, flip flop wobble wobble is starting to count. In many by elections this year the EFF got less than 10 votes. They are going down galub glub glub glub.

Cheryl Siewierski May 5, 2023, 10:38 PM

So Sharia Law it is then?

Frank Gonsenhauser May 6, 2023, 08:02 AM

About time we had a City Council who cared about the city and its ratepayers, who are not customers, but employers of these people who should be honoured to work to make the City great again. Unfortunately ratepayers problems seem to have little interest shown by these councillors who are there for their own self interest. Wake up, it’s the City Council, not a game show.

Grenville Wilson May 6, 2023, 08:14 AM

Let's not ignore the fact that the DA and Action SA are unable to get together for the good of SA, as I see it the DA has to shoulder the blame. It's all very well blaming the electorate but the electorate won't change and as the "Truth Saying" goes, "The DA can't change the electorate, so the DA has to change to get a different outcome". Rationalising that it would have been a poisoned chalice if the DA won doesn't work for me. Standing back while the ANC/EFF break SA isn't going to change anything!

Tjaard du Plessis May 6, 2023, 10:45 AM

Some food for thought for both the DA and ActionSA quote: “The DA can’t change the electorate, so the DA has to change to get a different outcome”.

Brian Schultz May 6, 2023, 02:51 PM

Really, the 'DA has to shoulder the blame'. I strongly disagree with you. The DA has every right to take a firm stance with its coalition partners. The DA has actually achieved real success where it is in charge and the likes of ASA need to toe their line.

Rory Macnamara May 6, 2023, 08:49 AM

give him less than three months!

cuffley May 6, 2023, 09:08 AM

Another weekend special !!

Dragon Slayer May 6, 2023, 09:56 AM

another useful goat that no doubt will bend to the will of his sponsors.

David Crossley May 6, 2023, 04:44 PM

The ANC/EFF Cabal just can’t bear to think of the DA or Action SA making a good job in the council so they persist in kicking the can down the road with incapable mayoral candidates selected from inconsequential minority political parties. When we will madness stop!