Kabelo Gwamanda has officially resigned as Joburg Mayor
The resignation of executive mayor Kabelo Gwamanda as the mayor of Johannesburg has ignited a sense of relief, some frustration, and cautious optimism among the city’s residents, business owners and political analysts.
While some see this as an overdue step towards recovery, not just for Johannesburg but for its residents too, others remain sceptical about the future of South Africa’s economic hub.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Gwamanda announced that he had submitted his resignation to the Council Speaker, marking the end of his tenure as the youngest mayor of South Africa’s largest city. It comes after weeks of intense negotiations for a new government in Johannesburg.
READ: Kabelo Gwamanda resigns as Joburg mayor, ANC’s Dada Morero poised to replace him
For many residents, the resignation “marks the end of a disappointing chapter.”
Nandi Mokwena, a small business owner in the inner city, lamented:
This should have happened months ago. We’ve been struggling with unreliable electricity, constant water shortages and collapsing infrastructure. We need leaders who will prioritise fixing these issues, not just using the mayoral office as a political springboard.
Thabo Maseko, a fourth-year political science student at the University of Pretoria, gave his input and said: “Gwamanda’s resignation was inevitable given the mounting pressure from various quarters.”
He told City Press:
His tenure highlighted the complexity and difficulties of governing a city like Johannesburg, where the demands are immense, and the resources are often stretched thin.
Among the most vocal critics of Gwamanda’s leadership was Herman Mashaba’s ActionSA, which had continuously warned that Gwamanda was ill-suited for the role.
In a statement released following Gwamanda’s resignation, the party said it welcomed the resignation “following a tenure of just over a year that can only be characterised by failure and catastrophic incompetence”.
The party added:
We could not stand by and allow the city to fall further into disrepair.
ActionSA had consistently criticised Gwamanda’s approach to governance and now claims that their push for his resignation is a victory for the city.
READ:Â Joburg mayor Gwamanda ready to resign if coalition demands
“His departure is just the beginning; the real work of rebuilding Johannesburg starts now.”
However, some residents remain cautious about celebrating too early.
Sipho Dlamini, a Soweto resident said:
It feels like a revolving door of mayors who talk big but deliver little. We’ve seen this before. They come in with grand promises, but on the ground, nothing changes.
The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA), representing a coalition of civil society groups, echoed this sentiment, emphasising that Gwamanda’s resignation should not be seen as a victory but rather as a critical moment for introspection and renewed commitment to the city.
“This is not a win; it’s a wake-up call,” stated a JCA spokesperson.
The alliance has called for leadership that truly prioritizes the needs of Johannesburg’s residents, especially in addressing issues like electricity outages, water shortages, and the city’s declining infrastructure.
As the city council prepares to elect a new mayor, Dada Morero, the ANC’s regional chairperson, emerges as the likely candidate. Morero, who briefly served as mayor in 2022, now faces the enormous task of stabilizing Johannesburg’s governance and restoring public trust.
READ:Â Gwamanda still hangs on as calls for him to resign as Joburg mayor mount
“Morero has a chance to prove himself, but he needs to act fast,” said Tshepo Khumalo, a local entrepreneur.
“Businesses are struggling, people are losing faith, and the city can’t afford any more missteps.”
Looking ahead, the citizens of Johannesburg are demanding more than just a change in leadership; They want accountability, transparency, and a mayor who will deliver on the promises made.
The challenges facing the city are immense, but with the right leadership, there is hope that Johannesburg can be steered back on course.
As the council is set to convene on 16 August to elect a new mayor, the stakes could not be higher. Johannesburg’s residents are watching closely, with the hope that this time, their voices will be heard, and their needs prioritised.Â
Mahlatsi Moleya
www.news24.com
