Nobuhle Mthembu Elected as New Speaker of Johannesburg Council

ActionSA‘s Nobuhle Mthembu has been elected as the new Speaker of the Johannesburg council. This election took place following the loss of the previous speaker, Margaret Arnolds, who vacated her seat last Friday.

Mthembu secured a total of 180 votes, defeating her opponent, Nonhlanhla Sifumba from the Democratic Alliance (DA), who received 68 votes in the council’s voting process. At the age of 37, Mthembu is recognized as the youngest individual to hold the speaker’s position.

Upon her election, Mthembu expressed her ambition to contribute positively, particularly during Women’s Month, emphasizing the ongoing issues of gender-based violence in her remarks. She highlighted the significance of her election as a black, young person and committed to working diligently to foster job opportunities for young people.

In her address to the council, Mthembu noted that the city had experienced a decline over recent years and stressed the urgent need for action to address this situation. She stated, ‘This must be a city where lawlessness is met with swift action, where our by-laws are not merely suggestions, but are strictly adhered to and enforced.’

During her speech, she also called for order among councillors from the African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) coalition, who had supported her election, due to disruptions as she spoke. Mthembu directed a message to the newly elected mayor, Dada Morero, urging him to address issues of corruption and mismanagement within the executive and administration.

She outlined her top priorities, which include fostering a safer and more compliant city, while also responding to queries regarding concerns about prepaid electricity meter charges. Mthembu stated, ‘I did not ask for a debate on my speech.’

The DA’s Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku conveyed the party’s concerns regarding the coalition’s ability to communicate effectively on issues affecting residents, stating that the coalition partners are not unified in their approach to governance.