The appointment of Nondumiso Maphazi as the new mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay has been welcomed across the political spectrum and within the ruling ANC.
Significantly, Maphazi was the first choice of the regional leadership of the ANC in the city.
Observers said her endorsement as mayor – ahead of another candidate apparently favoured by President Thabo Mbeki – suggested that Mbeki had waived his presidential prerogative and deferred to the region.
Business, civil society and politicians praised Maphazi’s work in other positions in the council. Prior to the 1 March election, Maphazi was chairman of the council’s engineering and infrastructure committee.
Joleen Steyn-Kotze, political science lecturer at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, said it came as no surprise that the new mayor was a woman. “The Independent Electoral Commission said women councillors were needed as you can’t speak of true democracy if you can’t empower women.
“Now the ANC needs to show that it can deliver what it promised – gender emancipation and gender empowerment.”
Former recreation and cultural services committee chairman Charmaine Williams is the new Speaker and Bicks Ndoni remains deputy mayor.
In an interview just after the announcement, Maphazi said her first task would be building an effective and efficient communication strategy that will link the communities and the municipality.
“I am very happy, but the announcement will take some time to sink in properly. It is a huge challenge, but I will do my level best to make a success of my term in office.
“It is really an honour for me. The ANC has placed great responsibility upon me and I will serve it and the people. I will implement the programmes outlined by President Thabo Mbeki in January this year.”
She said the previous councils only used to communicate with the communities when there were problems, adding this will be a thing of the past.
Other issues she will deal with are inter-governmental relations, service delivery and job creation.
“I will also focus on gender and youth issues. We are going to make some changes aimed at improving the status of these groups,” she said.
Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramakgopa will replace Father Smangaliso Mkatshwa as Tshwane’s next mayor. Incumbents Duma Nkosi (Ekurhuleni), Obed Mlaba (eThekwini) and Amos Masondo (Johannesburg) were all confirmed for new terms.
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