The City of Mbombela Municipality (CoM) concluded is special council sitting today, November 18, with the election of a new speaker and a new chief whip, triggering a subsequent reshuffle of the Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs).

The changes are aimed at bolstering the municipality’s focus on governance and service delivery.

The special sitting in the CoM Chamber saw two key positions filled by councillors nominated by the majority ANC, with no opposition parties nominating candidates for either post. Both elections proceeded unopposed and publicly.

Cllr Morries Mazibane was elected the new speaker of the council, replacing the former speaker, Cllr William Nkhata, who recently resigned from the position.

Mazibane previously served as the MMC of the City Planning and Development portfolio. Nkhata has been appointed to the Mayoral Committee, taking over the portfolio of Strategic Management Services.

In his acceptance speech, Mazibane thanked the outgoing speaker for his sterling work, particularly his calmness when dealing with some of the outbursts of members of council. He called on all political parties to rise above partisanship and instead summon a spirit of patriotism and shared responsibility to serve the community.

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Cllr Mxolisi Maseko was elected the new chief whip. This position had become vacant following the passing of the former chief whip, Cllr Meshack Nsimbini.

The elevation of Mazibane to speaker necessitated a reshuffle by the executive mayor, Cllr Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko’s cabinet, to fill the vacant portfolio and accommodate the outgoing speaker.

The new CoM MMCs are:

• Financial Services: Elizabeth Gecelo-Mkhabela
• Social Services: Khanyisa Mhlanga
• Corporate Services: Phumsile Mashego
• Community Services: Phindile Mbowane
• City Planning and Development: Jackson Mhlanga
• Local Economic Development: Innocent Lusenga
• Technical Services: Dannison Mkhatshwa
• Strategic Management Services: William Nkhata

The new leadership emphasised that their collective priority must be to revive the municipality and ensure the delivery of quality services to the people of the City of Mbombela.

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Mazibane reiterated the necessity for constructive collaboration on critical issues, stating that councillors need to work together to address service delivery challenges facing their communities, which include roads and water infrastructure, access to basic services, and women and youth empowerment.

Councillors present at the sitting offered their congratulations to both the new speaker and the newly appointed MMCs, stressing the need for the new team to immediately focus on these pressing service delivery matters.