Blessed or cursed? This is the question many ask about the position of the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg. The city with six million people and a budget of more than R70 billion, has had more than three mayors from three different political parties since the local government elections in November 2021. Before that, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba was the last to hold the fort the longest ,after his resignation in 2019, when he was still with the DA.   

ONE TRAGEDY AFTER THE OTHER 

Mashaba was succeeded by the ANC's Geoff Makhubo who died of Covid-19 related complications in July 2021. A month after his death, Makhubo was succeeded by Jolidee Matongo who also died in a car crash in September 2021, two months after being voted in. Matonga was returning from a voter registration event in Soweto where he was campaigning for the ANC for the local government elections. Also from the ANC, Mpho Moerane who was a mayor for less than two months before he was ousted when the DA led coalition won the Johannesburg metro after the Local Government elections in 2021. Moerane died in May 2022, days after being involved in a car accident. He wore the mayoral chains between 1 October 2021 and 22 November 2021 after Matongo's passing. 

INSTABILITY 

After Moerane, DA candidate Dr Mpho Phalatse took over the city but was ousted through a motion of no confidence twice in her reign. In between, the ANC's Dada Morero was voted in as a mayor. But he was in office for only 25 days after the Gauteng High Court ruled that Phalatse's ousting be declared unconstitutional and invalid. However, Phalatse did not survive the motion of no confidence, which pushed her out in January this year. She was succeeded by Thapelo Amad of Al Jamah, he was voted in through a coalition between the ANC, EFF and support from the Patriotic Alliance. The city of Johannesburg Speaker Colleen Makhubele said that Amad achieved a lot despite him serving for a short period. "The mayor, here, can count the many things that have been done right in the city under his leadership and as the legislature that has oversight on that process, we are quite pleased and amazed at how fast they have moved to clean the streets, to clear potholes, open clinics, and also to address issues of economic development.' 

DA WANTS MPHO PHALATSE AS MAYOR AGAIN 

The DA in Gauteng said they will be nominating Mpho Phalatse as their mayoral candidate. Phalatse was ousted as the mayor in January in a motion of no confidence. In a statement, DA Guteng Chairperson Fred Nel said Phalatse has a proven track record and an understanding of the needs of the people of Johannesburg. ANC Gauteng Cjairperson Panyaza Lesufi said the ANC-led coalition partnership which include EFF,PA,Al Jamah will meet in the next few days to decide on a mayoral candidate. The council will meet on 2 May to elect a new mayor.