Johnathan Paoli
New Ekurhuleni Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, has revealed his 10-Member Mayoral Committee (MMC) list for his tenure, with few changes, including a new MMC for Water and Sanitation, and a role for the former Mayor as MMC for Corporate and Shared Services.
Xhakaza held a media briefing on Monday, following an intense Council meeting and over two-hour long delay to the assigned time for the swearing in of the members.
The ANC councilor was elected unopposed last week, replacing Sivuyile Ngodwana who after a year, was removed as Mayor through a motion of no-confidence.
His selection of his MMCs is being viewed as an illustration of the power sharing agreements between the ANC and the EFF in the Metro.
The Mayor said the process was a very lengthy one and involved a lot of consultation, with rumours suggesting an ANC-takeover of the MMC for Finance position.
The new MMCs consist of Five EFF, four ANC and one African Independent Congress, with Malesela Madihlaba, who headed the human settlement portfolio previously for the ANC not being reappointed.
Xhakaza only made two changes, where Ngodwana was appointed as MMC of Corporate and Shared Services, a position previously occupied by Xhakaza and Thembi Msane being appointed for Water and Sanitation.
Leshaka Manamela has been appointed as the MMC for Environmental Resources and Waste Management; Bridget Thusi for Community Services, and Sizakele Masuku for Community Safety.
Nomadlozi Nkosi has been appointed in Developmental Planning and Real Estate, Andile Mgwevu in Roads and Transport Planning, Mzayifani Ngwenya in Energy and Kgopelo Hollo replacing Madihlaba in Human Settlements.
The Mayor previously said his tenure would see a greater reliance on consultation and ensuring sustainability within the Metropolitan.
“I will be more consultative and ensure that we govern in the interest of the collective parties in council. Our utmost priority is to ensure a sustainable provision of basic services across the city, to ensure electricity provision, when interruption occurs, that we communicate and be in touch with our communities, that the provision of water is stabilised,” Xhakaza said.
Xhakaza also promised to improve the city’s revenue and invest in infrastructure and said he would ensure the administration is geared towards the right focus and helps the political leadership to discharge its responsibility, which is a constitutional mandate of local government.
He also welcomed the new appointments and said it marked the beginning of a new era of responsive service delivery and strategic governance.
“The newly appointed Mayoral Committee Members are committed to ethical leadership, transparency, efficiency, innovation, and the betterment of the Ekurhuleni community,” he said.
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