BREAKING NEWS: Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda Resigns

City of Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has resigned from office following weeks of intense pressure and allegations of incompetence. Both civil organizations and political parties had been calling for his removal, criticizing his performance and leadership as mayor.

Gwamanda submitted his resignation letter to the speaker of the Joburg council on Tuesday. This move aligns with the political adjustments that have occurred over the past weeks, influenced by the new political landscape following the May 29 National and Provincial Elections.

In his resignation letter, Gwamanda expressed humility at having led the city and stabilised it financially and administratively after the collapse of the multi-party coalition government. He highlighted achievements such as improved governance and the best audit outcomes the city has seen in years. Despite stepping down, Gwamanda expressed his intent to continue serving Johannesburg as a councillor and hoped that his story would inspire others to rise above challenges and make a positive impact.

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The resignation will be effective from a date to be determined by the speaker. There is speculation that Dada Morero, the current Finance MMC and ANC Johannesburg region chairperson, might be appointed as Gwamanda’s successor. Morero was previously elected as the city mayor but was removed due to political conflicts in the metro.

Johannesburg to Get a New Mayor as Kabelo Gwamanda Quits

Calls for Kabelo Gwamanda’s resignation intensified after ActionSA placed conditions on its support for a new government in Johannesburg, with the removal of Gwamanda being a key condition. In a recent interview, Gwamanda acknowledged the prerogative of political parties to decide on the new mayor, reflecting on his initial lack of ambition for the position and his focus on stabilizing the city’s administration.

Gwamanda emphasized that decisions regarding leadership are for the elected political parties to make collectively, and his role was to address the city’s challenges. His resignation marks a significant shift in the city’s political landscape.

New Johannesburg Mayor to Be Elected on Friday

Speaker of the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) council, Margaret Arnolds, has announced that a new mayor will be elected on August 16. This follows Kabelo Gwamanda’s resignation on August 13, after 18 months in office. The resignation is part of a broader political reshuffling after the May elections and subsequent national and provincial negotiations.

Arnolds praised Gwamanda’s dedication and leadership, noting his efforts to stabilize the city financially and administratively. Gwamanda, who became the youngest mayor of Johannesburg when he took office in May 2023, intends to continue as a member of the city council and remains hopeful that his experiences will inspire others to overcome adversity and work towards positive change.

The exact date of Gwamanda’s final day in office will be determined by the speaker, and the council meeting to elect the new mayor is scheduled for August 16. This change in leadership is expected to impact the political dynamics within the city, with ActionSA potentially benefiting from Gwamanda’s departure.

Photo: X (Twitter) (@KabeloGwamanda)

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