Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba has postponed delivering his inaugural speech in honour of the ANC councillor who passed away during the inaugural Council meeting on 22 August.
The ANC has released the name of the councillor and confirmed that 50-year old Nonhlanhla ‘Black Diamond’ Mthembu, passed away after collapsing at the Council sitting. According to a statement released by the ANC, Mthembu was an activist at heart and a long-standing member of the party.
“She had devoted her life to serving her community. She was a Johannesburg councillor in the 2011 to 2016 term of office and was re-elected to serve for another five years,” read the statement. The cause of her death is unknown.
Mashaba sent condolences to the deceased’s family and the ANC caucus. “Your loss is our loss,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng congratulated Mashaba on being elected as the new Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg on 22 August. He was elected by a combined vote of most opposition parties. The DA also wished the new Johannesburg Executive Council all the best in their new term of office.
“Herman’s election came at a difficult time for the entire council when proceedings were interrupted by the sudden passing away of ANC councillor Nonhlanhla Mthembu. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, loved ones, and the ANC,” read a statement released by the DA in Gauteng.
Congratulations were also extended to newly elected Speaker of the Council, Vasco Da Gama and the Chief Whip, Dr Kevin Wax.
“The residents of Joburg have voted for change on 3 August and the DA in Gauteng and the metros we govern will deliver on that mandate to cut corruption, create jobs and deliver services for all,” the statement concluded.
