Jolidee Matongo elected new Joburg mayor
Jolidee Matongo, an African National Congress (ANC) member and the former finance MMC, has been declared Joburg’s new first citizen following an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday.
The city’s top job has been vacant for at least a month since the death of the late mayor Geoff Makhubo.
Makhubo died of Covid-19 related complications at the start of last month.
More than 250 of the metro’s councillors joined the hybrid sitting, with the council reaching its quorum.
Matongo’s name was the only one put forward, taking away the need to vote.
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Johannesburg council speaker, Nonceba Molelwa, declared Matongo’s victory moments before midday.
Despite the uncontested win, a modest Matongo told the council that it wasn’t an obvious win from the get-go.
“I really appreciate the honour and privilege to lead Africa’s preeminent sitting for the next few months. I hope we all pull together as political parties in the best interest of our residents,” he said at the podium.
It is expected Motongo will be sworn in on Wednesday.
