January 30, 2004
By Lucky Sindane and Tshepiso Mogotsi
AN upbeat mood was set during the official photo session of most of the Johannesburg city councillors on the steps in front of the mayor's chamber at the Braamfontein Metro Centre.
Dressed in their best, from designer labels to traditional outfits, the councillors looked relaxed, but excited to begin the new year's tasks.
The formal opening of the Johannesburg City Council was held outside the metro centre, on the piazza, where there was a stage for the mayor, surrounded by chairs for all the councillors and guests made up of local dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps and Johannesburg residents.
Passers-by asked what was happening at the council offices as they spotted the huge tents.
In the piazza the Gauteng police band loudly entertained the crowd, while the Johannesburg metro police department and Emergency Management Services personnel were deployed around the building and along the access roads.
The crowd rose to their feet when Executive Mayor, Amos Masondo, and his wife, Khosi, arrived, heralded by poet Mzwakhe Mbuli in the role of praise singer. Part of his presentation included messages against women abuse. "Abusers are the devil's ambassadors on earth," he said.
After the photographs had been taken, the mayor, accompanied by EMS director of operations David Tembe and JMPD chief of police Chris Ngcobo inspected the parade of honour, made up of member of the EMS, JMPD and the South African Police Services brass band.
Councillors
Dressed in black pants and a variety of black, purple and orange shirts, the CIDA College choir then sang the national anthem.
Opening his State of the City address, which lasted an hour, Masondo congratulated South Africa's national soccer squad, Bafana Bafana on their win against Benin in their African Cup of Nations clash in Tunisia this week. "Siyabonga Nomvete," the mayor thanked the striker, who scored the two goals.
Highlights of the mayor's address included a comprehensive outline of developments the City had completed over the past three years, policies on HIV/Aids, the improved state of safety and security around the city and the new by-laws. He also spoke about celebrating 10 years of democracy.
The hot summer sun burnt down on the crowd, but did nothing to drain the enthusiasm of the event.
At the end of the mayoral address, the crowd ululated and clapped enthusiastically. An EMS fire truck sounded its siren and sprayed water in sweeping fountains around the council building in celebration.
Then it was time for lunch.
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