The much-anticipated sitting of the full council of Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality was a marathon one, which was held at the Estcourt Town Hall yesterday, Wednesday, August 17. It was the first meeting that saw the newly merged Umtshezi and Imbabazane local municipality councillors convene since the Local Government Elections held on August 3.

The highlight of the meeting was the election of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Speaker and the anticipation was tangible in the packed hall. Also attending the council meeting was KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu and delegates from provincial government, including Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and South African Local Government Association (Salga) representatives.

Chairing the meeting was Acting Municipal Manager Sibusiso Radebe, who once the formalities were complete, announced that the swearing in of 23 Ward and 23 proportional representation (PR) councillors. This was done by a Pietermaritzburg Magistrate and each councillor pledged to serve the community and country without prejudice.

The election of the Speaker followed. Sifiso Alfred Mdakane from the African National Congress (ANC) secured this position after it was put to a ballot, defeating Simon Mchunu from the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) by four votes.

The election of nine members for the Executive Committee followed and thereafter it was time for the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Two candidates were nominated for Mayor – Jabulile Mbhele from the ANC and Mthembeni Majola from the IFP.

After a secret vote, Mrs Mbhele was declared Mayor of Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality and took her place on stage, amid thunderous applause and singing. The position for Deputy Mayor was also contested between two candidates – Mbuzeleni Cyril Mkhize from the IFP and Bhekithemba Dlamini from Aljama (the new political party that formed a coalition with the National Freedom Party). A vote secured Mr Dlamini the position of Deputy Mayor.