ANC regional chairperson and Johannesburg MMC treasurer Dada Molero has been elected as Johannesburg's new mayor. (Lubabalo Lesor/Galo Images)
aDada Molero, NC regional chairperson and Johannesburg MMC treasurer, has been elected as the new mayor, replacing Kabelo Gwamanda, who resigned on Tuesday, marking the eighth change in the city's top job since December 2019.
Gwamanda, who stepped down as mayor following ANC pressure to give way to Molero, will now replace Lubabalo Magwenthu as the city's mayoral committee's head of community development, while outgoing chairperson Margaret Arnold will replace Molero as MMC treasurer.
Molero served as mayor for just 25 days in 2022 but this is the second time he has faced criticism as mayor after the Johannesburg High Court ruled his election was unlawful.
On Friday, Molero received 189 votes from lawmakers from the ANC, Economic Freedom Fighters, Action SA and smaller parties, compared with 60 for his opponent, Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary leader Belinda Kaizer Etjosonjoke.
In his acceptance speech, Morello said politicians needed to listen to their constituents in the upcoming national and state elections on May 29 and that it was their constitutional responsibility to act in unison.
He said the repeated leadership changes since 2016 – the year the ANC lost control of Johannesburg to the DA for the first time in local elections – had been chaotic and could not be sustained.
“Cities shape our societies and therefore must be resilient and sustainable in their development. We must rise to the challenges of the day and re-imagine a Johannesburg that is inclusive, colourful and loving,” he said.
“We must continue to make Johannesburg a world-class African city of the future. Our city must remain vibrant, equitable and strengthened through its diversity.”
In a statement, Arnold said he was confident that Morello's leadership would bring about the positive change the city needed. He said Johannesburg's challenges were enormous but could be overcome with strong and united leadership.
“I encourage all city councillors and city officials to support Mayor Molero's mission to uplift our communities and improve the lives of all Johannesburg residents,” Arnold said.
“I am committed to working closely with Mayor Molero and the entire City Council to ensure Johannesburg continues to thrive. Together we will build a city that is inclusive, positive and committed to the wellbeing of its residents.”
