New Johannesburg mayor to be elected on Friday

Speaker of the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) council Margaret Arnolds has set a date to elect a new mayor.

Kabelo Gwamanda resigned as Johannesburg mayor shortly before 10am on 13 August after 18 months at the helm.

The decision comes as a result of political reshuffling in the wake of the 29 May elections and subsequent negotiations at national and provincial level.

“The CoJ is deeply appreciative of Mayor Gwamanda’s dedication and leadership. His commitment to serving the residents of our city has been commendable, and we wish him well in his future endeavours,” stated Arnolds.

The speaker has convened an extra-ordinary council meeting for 16 August to elect a new mayor, with the time still to be confirmed.

Proud of his tenure

Gwamanda took office in May 2023 and became the youngest man to have taken charge of the City of Gold.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to have led this city and to have stabilised it financially and administratively following the collapse of the Multi-Party coalition government,” stated the departing mayor.

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Gwamanda declared his intention to continue as a member of the Johannesburg city council and believed he can be a role model to those aiming to rise from obscurity to a position of prominence.

“My story is one I am hopeful will continue to inspire an African child from our city, that against deprivation, isolation, social and political exclusion… one can live and rise on the noble cause of changing the conditions of the poor,” he said.

The speaker of the CoJ will determine the date of Gwamanda’s final day in office, whereafter council will elect a new mayor.

ActionSA to benefit from mayor’s toppling

Herman Mashaba thanked the ANC in the aftermath of Gwamanda’s resignation and his party is now in line to contest for the speaker’s position.

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ActionSA has been pivotal in removing Gwamanda, vocally expressing its desire to have him ousted as well as outlining its terms to the ANC.

“We are waiting for the ANC to confirm if the deal is on. The delays interfere with finalising our internal matters,” Mashaba told The Citizen days before the resignation.

“We have a candidate for speaker. We will announce the name after we find out if we would continue along these lines,” he added.

• Additional reporting by Itumeleng Mafisa