The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Thapelo Amad, has vowed to put service delivery at the top of the agenda for his administration.
“We must get the basics right, stabilise the city’s finances, fix our roads, potholes, traffic lights, cut grass along our roads and streets regularly, and undertake maintenance of our infrastructure,” he said.
Amad was speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the MMCs by Gauteng regional court president Modibedi Djaje at the Constance Bapela council chamber in Braamfontein on February 6.
The newly appointed mayoral committee make up the Government of Local Unity and is tasked with ensuring the acceleration of service delivery in the City of Johannesburg.
The speaker of council, Colleen Makhubele, officially welcomed and congratulated all the newly appointed MMCs on their journey ahead.
“The city has the best coalition. This is an opportunity for change, not based on empty promises but actions we hope to witness,” said Makhubele.
She urged all the MMCs to handle the residents with care, love, and a firm resolve to help them.
“Deal with criminality with the fierce force that it deserves. Cultivate in you and in your teams the unrelenting will to help the residents of the city,” Makhubele added.
She also took the time to thank the MMCs from the previous administration.
“I trust that the executive mayor will be delegating to the MMCs, entrusting them with various responsibilities and portfolios for the development, advancement, and to address various socio-economic ills across our country, that will continue this ‘unity in development’,” said Makhubele.
The multi-party team of MMCs:
• Finance: Dada Morero
• Group corporate and shared services: Loyiso Masuku
• Environment and infrastructure services: Jack Sekwaila
• Public safety: Sepetlele Raseruthe
• Development planning: Eunice Mgcina
• Economic development: Nomoya Daphney Mnisi
• Housing: Anthea Natasha Leitch
• Community development: Lubabalo Magwentshu
• Transport: Kenny Kunene
• Health and social development: Ennie Makhafola
Amad urged the newly appointed MMCs to hit the ground running by addressing the needs of the people in their respective portfolios. “Let us approach our work with courage, determination and selflessness. Let us serve Johannesburg and make it a world-class African city.
“This is an inclusive government which demonstrates the true government of local unity. We have a responsibility to work together to better the lives of our people.”
The ceremony was also attended by leaders from different political parties, members of the Gauteng provincial legislature, councillors, family members of the newly appointed MMCs, acting city manager Bryne Maduka and various senior officials of the city.
In his closing remarks, the chief whip of the council Sithembiso Zungu urged the new leadership to be cognisant of the code of conduct as councillors when discharging their duties. He said good governance starts with adherence to the code of conduct and upholding the highest level of integrity and ethical conduct.
