Junior councillors take up their positions

The metro inaugurated 135 junior councillors to learn about local government systems.

Junior councillors are inaugurated at the Germiston Council Chambers last Thursday.

There was much excitement in the Germiston Council Chambers last Thursday as 135 Grade Nine and 10 learners were inaugurated as the metro’s junior councillors.

The Junior City Council is a programme led by the metro’s Citizen Responsibility Campaigns Office working with the Gauteng Department of Education to educate school learners about local government systems.

Learners are elected to serve as junior councillors and the election it is done through geographical and gender representation.

Speaker of council alderman Patricia Kumalo emphasised the importance of educating learners about local government systems.

The sitting saw six new office bearers being sworn in as junior mayor, junior deputy mayor, junior speaker, junior deputy speaker, junior chairperson of chairpersons and junior spokesperson.

The criteria for election included a two-minute presentation by candidates, motivating why they were fit for the positions they aspired to occupy.

The council was abuzz with spirited and robust speeches as each candidate passionately explained how they would add value to the structure.

In her address, speaker of council alderman Patricia Kumalo emphasised the importance of educating learners about local government systems through platforms such as the Junior City Council.