Civil society groups call for qualified, competent mayor after Gwamanda's exit
Al Jama-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda tendered his resignation as mayor on Tuesday following increased pressure from political parties and civil society.
A City of Joburg council meeting. Picture: @JoburgSpeaker/X
JOHANNESBURG - While the Joburg Council is set to elect a new mayor on Friday, some civil society organisations are hoping a qualified and competent candidate will be elected to the position.
They include the Joburg Crisis Alliance, Rivonia Circle and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA).
Al Jama-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda tendered his resignation as mayor on Tuesday, following increased pressure from political parties and civil society.
The African National Congress has since announced plans to nominate its regional chairperson and former Mayor Dada Morero to reclaim the City of Joburg’s mayoral chains.
OUTA is one of several civil society organisations that protested for the removal of Gwamanda from Joburg’s mayoral office.
The lobby group says while Gwamanda’s resignation is a step in the right direction – focus should now be placed on finding a suitable replacement.
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OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage isn’t convinced Morero fits the description of an exceptional leader.
"The real issue is, does he a visionary leadership and the ability to hold people to account to get various components of the city to deliver the services that we need and that’s where we believe he’s running short?"
He says all eyes are now on Morero to prove to Joburg residents that he’s capable of picking up the pieces.
GWAMANDA NOT ABANDONING POLITICS
Meanwhile, Gwamanda said his resignation from public office did not signal the end of his political career.
Before his unexpected rise to Joburg’s highest public office, Gwamanda served as an advisor to three previous mayors – including Geoff Makhubo and Jolidee Matongo.
He said he would continue being a member of the African National Congress-Economic Freedom Fighters coalition government.
“I’ve always been in the background assisting the City of Joburg in advancing its developmental agenda. So, I will continue serving the residents in the city of Johannesburg in one capacity or the other.”