---
title: "Al Jama-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda voted in as latest mayor of Joburg"
description: "After more than a week of Johannesburg not having a mayor, council voted in Kabelo Gwamanda as the ninth mayor of Johannesburg since 2016."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "MUSICAL CHAIRS"
author: "Queenin Masuabi"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/queenin-masuabi/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-05-05-al-jama-ahs-kabelo-gwamanda-voted-in-as-latest-mayor-of-joburg/"
published: "2023-05-05T16:03:12"
updated: "2023-05-05T16:10:55"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 295
---

# 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.

By Queenin Masuabi · Published 5 May 2023, 18:03 SAST · Updated 5 May 2023, 18:10 SAST

## Key points
- After a tense morning of nominations and voting, Kabelo Gwamanda of the Al Jama-ah party has been elected as the ninth Mayor of the City of Joburg.
- Kabelo Gwamanda of Al Jama-ah party elected as 9th Mayor of Joburg since 2016
- Mpho Phalatse (DA) and Funzi Ngobeni (ActionSA) received 68 and 59 votes respectively
- Gwamanda was an advisor to Ganief Hendricks’ office and to the executive mayor during the tenures of Geoff Makhubo, Jolidee Matongo and Mpho Moerane
- 266 councillors cast their votes, with no spoilt votes

## Content

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.

> \[WATCH\] New City of Joburg Executive Mayor being sworn in. [#JoburgCouncil](https://twitter.com/hashtag/JoburgCouncil?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)[pic.twitter.com/Pxj2lz41jE](https://t.co/Pxj2lz41jE)
>
> — Queenin Masuabi (@Queenin\_M) [May 5, 2023](https://twitter.com/Queenin_M/status/1654475179735543809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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.

> Nominations for the City of Joburg Executive Mayor are in:
>
> Funzi Ngobeni- ActionSA
> Mpho Phalatse- DA
> Kabelo Gwamanda- Al Jama- ah[#joburgcouncil](https://twitter.com/hashtag/joburgcouncil?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)[pic.twitter.com/bO5Y1QboWI](https://t.co/bO5Y1QboWI)
>
> — Queenin Masuabi (@Queenin\_M) [May 5, 2023](https://twitter.com/Queenin_M/status/1654411421705183232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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*