Mayor makes mother proud
Speaking about her son, Thabitha Xaba said she would like him to address the water issues among other things.
BEING born and bred in Clermont, newly elected eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba has made his community proud, and they hope that he will address the challenges they face on a daily basis.
The Highway Mail had a brief session with his mother, Thabitha Xaba.
Thabitha beams with pride when she speaks about her son.
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“I am happy about his appointment; I really do not have words to describe how I feel,” she said.
Xaba is the second-born of five siblings. Growing up, his mother said that Xaba was a very humble child.
“He listened whenever he was reprimanded. He attended Zakhele Primary School and matriculated at Umqhele High School here in Clermont.”
Asked about what she would like to see her son tackling as a new mayor, Thabitha said she would like him to sort out the never-ending water issues.
Xaba was elected at a special council sitting last week and was handed the mayoral chain by acting mayor Zandile Myeni and City manager Musa Mbhele.
His appointment comes after the redeployment of Mxolisi Kaunda.
A long-serving ANC member, Xaba is also a former member of the National Assembly 2019. He also served as a co-chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and as chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans.
He previously served as an ANC MPL in KwaZulu-Natal from 1994 and became the agriculture MEC in 2014.
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In his inaugural speech, Xaba pledged not to fail the residents of eThekwini.
“This honour you have bestowed on me is not one I take lightly. It is a responsibility I humbly accept, knowing very well the expectation that comes with the job. Our city has a vibrant and dynamic community, rich in diversity and full of potential. Working as a collective, I commit to nurturing this diversity and harnessing our collective strengths to build a more inclusive future where no one will feel left out,” he said.
He promised to review areas that have not performed well and implement new approaches and, in the process, enhance transparency and improve accountability to ensure effective and efficient service delivery and to ensure that those entrusted with the responsibilities are more accountable.
“Our priorities are clear. To name but a few, we will focus on improving water and sanitation infrastructure as well as ensuring uninterrupted water supply; a safe and clean city; inner-city rejuvenation; strengthening good governance and fighting corruption; attracting investment, and promoting an inclusive economy which creates jobs,” said Xaba.
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