March 16, 2006
By Lucky Sindane and Ndaba Dlamini
AMOS Masondo was elected executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg, for his second consecutive term, during the first meeting of the City council on Thursday, 16 March.
Masondo was elected unopposed and will serve another five years as executive mayor of the city. His election comes in the wake of an African National Congress (ANC) National Working Committee decision to put him forward as the party's mayoral candidate.
The council chamber was packed with newly elected councillors, long serving councillors and members of the public singing songs and chanting slogans. When he stood to address the council, as the re-elected executive mayor, councillors burst out in song, some shook his hand and others embraced him.
In his acceptance speech, Masondo said the City had learnt certain valuable lessons since democracy in 1994. He commended the hard work of the councillors over the past five years and called on residents to work together with the City for the benefit of everyone.
"We are the elected public representatives. Those who elect us expect all of us without exception to work together. The citizens and voters understand that from time to time we will experience intense debates that may generate more heat than light."
The Constitution, he added, provided the space and various platforms for all people to have their say.
Masondo also had a word of encouragement for other parties that contested the local government elections at the beginning of March.
"In a democracy those who contest elections do so knowing that even though they may be a minority, there is hope they will be able to master a majority and therefore assume the reigns of governance.
"All of us are new members and this is a new term. Those who served in the previous term bring back valuable experience and those who are new come with a fresh insight. Together we shall succeed," Masondo added.
The ANC was the out-right winner in the municipal elections in Johannesburg, scooping 62 percent of the votes. It won 136 of the 217 seats. The Democratic Alliance (DA) took 59 seats, with 27 percent of the votes.
Masondo said he would announce the portfolios and the names of members of the mayoral committee "this coming week".
The ANC's Nkele Ntingane, the former mayoral committee member for municipal enterprises, was elected council speaker. Ntingane was elected unopposed. She steps into the shoes of former speaker, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza. Bafana Sithole retained his position as chief whip.
After each nomination, a burst of song emanated from the house as ANC councillors celebrated their victory.
DA leader in the council, Mike Moriarty, congratulated Masondo on his election adding that the mayor had to fulfil the mandate of delivering basic services and tackling the thorny issues of crime and unemployment.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) said it would give Masondo its "undivided support" during his term of office. An IFP councillor, Obert Maseko, said the City had made great strides over the past five years under the guidance of Masondo. "The progress is there for everyone to see."
Maseko also had a word of advice for new councillors: "Make sure you take note of what other councillors have done so that you gain experience. In that case you won't go wrong."
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