Lungani Zungu
Jolidee Matongo is the new Executive Mayor of Joburg after he was elected unopposed on Tuesday.
This places him in control of Africa’s richest city and its budget of R65 billion.
Matongo, a long-time ANC leader, was nominated by the ANC after going through an interview process.
He is the former mayoral committee member for finance.
In his inaugural speech Matongo said he would focus on making sure that the close to six million Joburg residents had basic services.
“We will work twice as hard to ensure that if there’s a burst pipe, we fix it within 24 hours. The same goes for the potholes in our city.”
The council was dissolved after former mayor Geoff Makhubo died earlier last month due to Covid-19 related complications.
Council speaker Nonceba Molwele announced that Matongo was elected unopposed to the powerful position.
Matongo got the thumbs up from ANC’s coalition partners in the city, the African Independent Congress, Al Jama-ah, the Congress of the People, the United Democratic Movement, Inkatha Freedom Party, and the Patriotic Alliance.
“Thanks to all the 269 councillors who have, I think for the first time in the history of my city, unanimously decided that we will not look at any other candidate but yourself councillor Matongo,” he said.
Matongo will complete the remainder of Makhubo’s term in office, which will end either in October or early next year, depending on the postponement of the local government elections.
