Cape Town – Joburg’s mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda, has revealed that he does not possess a diploma in business, as previously alleged.
Gwamanda’s academic qualifications came under scrutiny after his election in May 2023.
The leader of Al Jama-ah, Ganief Hendricks, had claimed that Gwamanda held a diploma in business.
However, Gwamanda admitted in an interview with EWN that his highest level of education is a National Intermediate Certificate (NIC), which is awarded upon completing Grade 10.
The NIC allows enrollment in technical and vocational education training (TVET) colleges, but Gwamanda did not pursue further studies due to personal reasons.
“The only thing that I have is a NIC certificate,” Gwamanda said.
He continued: “The reason why I did not continue was because I had to focus on other issues. Me focusing on building my family meant that I had to work harder than the rest of us.”
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The mayor has faced controversy since his election, including fraud allegations related to his funeral insurance company.
Opposition parties have raised concerns about his qualifications and the vetting process of his election.
Gwamanda postponed a media briefing and faced criticism for avoiding media scrutiny, stating that council rules do not require him to subject himself to interrogation.
According to Times Live, the mayor took aim at the opposition and those who criticised his lack of media appearances and alleged evasion of accountability.
“Nowhere does it stipulate an executive mayor has an obligation to subject him or herself to media houses for interrogation or scrutiny of any kind,” he said.
“I would like to thank the speaker, councillors and residents for your consideration when I was not well, and your indulgence in allowing the meeting to adjourn to afford me an opportunity to recover,” the report quoted Gwamanda as saying on Tuesday while delivering his much-anticipated response in the debate on his inaugural state of the city address after the abrupt adjournment last week due to his reported ill-health.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
