The African National Congress’s Mzukisi Mpahlwa is Makana Municipality’s new executive mayor.
Mpahlwa beat DA nominated mayoral candidate Carolynn Clark to the post by 17 votes to six at a council meeting on Friday morning.
Mpahlwa was Makana Municipality’s first mayor under the new democratic dispensation in 1995.
Mpahlwa replaces Nomhle Gaga, who resigned as a councilor last month.
He said the supply of clean water to all residents topped the municipal priorities, closely followed by the dilapidated road and sanitation infrastructure, and high level of litter and illegal dumping.
He said these systemic challenges demanded a more efficient, effective and responsible administration.
“I am confident that working together with the leadership collective of this institution, including labour unions, we shall be equal to these challenges.”
He called on civil society and all residents to pull together and put their collective energy into attempts to revive the fortunes of Makana.
“I accept this responsibility with humility, fully aware of the size of the tasks lying ahead.”..