POMP and ceremony were the order of the day on Tuesday when the new eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede, flanked by her new exco members, Metro Police and Zulu marching band made their way to Durban’s City Hall for the inauguration of the new councillors, mayor and deputy-mayor.
Taking over the the reins from Mayor James Nxumalo, Gumede becomes the first female mayor to run eThekwini since South Africa’s democracy. Gumede is joined by ANC veteran Fawzia Peer as deputy mayor, replacing Nomvuso Shabalala.
eThekwini’s former ethics committee chair, Lekgoa Mapena takes over as council Speaker from Logie Naidoo and Neli Nyanisa takes over Stanley Xulu’s role of chief whip.
Gumede has vowed to drive a corruption free city and raise the bar in service delivery, through implementing high-impact interventions that will benefit residents. Gumede made the comments during her speech, at the inaugural council
sitting for the 2016-2021 term of office.
“Our task, as the newly elected Council, is to consolidate and accelerate what has been achieved. We must reach for new heights and raise the bar through interventions that will change our city for the betterment of our people,” she said shortly after being sworn into office.
Gumede also tasked city officials to continue to get the basics right.
“Our streets must be clean, roads must be without potholes, waste must be collected weekly, our street lamps must work, households and businesses must have regular power supply, issues of health and safety must be addressed and water and sanitation are also in our list of priorities,” said Gumede shortly after being sworn into office.
