Al Jama-ah's Kabelo Gwamanda is Joburg's new mayor

Gwamanda was voted into power with a whopping 139 votes, after the city was without a mayor for nearly two weeks.

Newly elected City of Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda. Picture: City of Joburg/Facebook

JOHANNESBURG – Al Jama-ah councillor Kabelo Gwamanda has been elected to serve as Johannesburg’s new mayor.

Gwamanda was voted into power with a whopping 139 votes, while the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Mpho Phalatse and ActionSA’s Funzi Ngobeni received 68 and 59 votes respectively.

After nearly two weeks of Johannesburg being without a mayor, a councillor from a minority party has once again been elected to lead the country’s economic hub.

Gwamanda’s rise to leadership follows the resignation of fellow party member Thapelo Amad, who left office ahead a vote of no confidence last week.

He was elected into the position by the backing of the African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the Patriotic Alliance and other minority parties.

While Gwamanda’s win is a victory to his political party, his predecessor from the same party received much criticism during his tenure.

But the ANC said it believed Gwamanda was more than capable to hold the top office of a city that operates on a R70 billion budget.

The new mayor is set to be inaugurated next week, with his mayoral committee expected be announced thereafter.

BREAKING: Al-Jama-Ah councillor, Kabelo Gwamanda, is the new of mayor of the City of Joburg. Amad beat Funzi Ngobeni and Mpho Phalatse with a whopping 139 votes. pic.twitter.com/OCVBXA080m

' EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 5, 2023