Cape Town – The newly elected executive mayor of Johannesburg Kabelo Gwamanda has reportedly said that he plans on focusing on service delivery and boosting the city’s economy while ensuring political stability is maintained.
Gwamanda was elected on Friday.
He replaced his party counterpart Thapelo Amad who resigned on April 24, a day before he was due to face a no-confidence vote in council.
Gwamanda was voted into power with a whopping 139 votes, while the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Mpho Phalatse and ActionSA’s Funzi Ngobeni received 68 and 59 votes respectively.
“We as a government have to provide services that are at least worth paying for rather than demanding payment because it legislates. It is therefore a fundamental imperative for this administration to adopt a qualitative approach in attempts to trigger the pulse of the City of Johannesburg,” EWN quoted Gwamanda as saying.
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Gwamanda received the backing of the ANC, EFF and minority parties for him to win the position.
According to IOL, Gauteng Premier and ANC chairperson in Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, said three advisers would be placed in Gwamanda’s office to strengthen the office with the needed capacity and skills.
He said the advisers would help him with everything that affects governance, finance and to also manage the stakeholder relations.
“We learnt from those mistakes… we are going to strengthen his office with the capacity and the skills that are needed… This time we are ready; we have learnt from our limitations,” the report quoted Lesufi as saying.
Business Day reported that Gwamanda inherited the mayoral committee of his predecessor, Amad, which is largely dominated by ANC councillors:
- Finance MMC: Dada Morero
- Group corporate and shared services: Loyiso Masuku
- Environment and infrastructure services: Jack Sekwaila
- Development planning: Eunice Mgcina
- Economic development: Nomoya Daphney Mnisi
- Public safety: Mgcini Tshwaku
- Health and social development: Ennie Makhafola
- Transport: Kenny Kunene
- Human settlements: Anthea Leitch
- Community development: Lubabalo Magwentshu
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
