Colleen Makhubele

Colleen Makhubele from COPE elected Joburg speaker
Photo sourced via Facebook: Colleen Makhubele

COPE’s Collen Makhubele elected the City of Joburg speaker

Colleen Makhubele’s election as speaker was backed by the ANC and EFF during a council sitting on Wednesday

Colleen Makhubele

Colleen Makhubele from COPE elected Joburg speaker
Photo sourced via Facebook: Colleen Makhubele

The Congress of the People’s (COPE) Colleen Makhubele has been elected as the new speaker in the City of Johannesburg.

Makhubele won by 141 votes and beat Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Alex Christians, who was also vying for the seat.

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COLLEEN MAKHUBELE ‘HUMBLED AND GRATEFUL’ FOR ELECTION

Colleen Makhubele’s election as speaker was backed by the African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the council, during a sitting on Wednesday afternoon, 28 September 2022.

Addressing media shortly afterwards, Makhubele said she was humbled by the election.

“I am truly humbled and grateful and thank these great leaders standing next to me. These are the minority parties that joined hands and said unless we win, it is not a win for the City of Johannesburg,” Makhubele said.

The seat was left vacant after the DA’s Vasco Da Gama was ousted during a motion of no confidence vote. More than  136 councillors voted to oust Da Gama, while 132 had voted against a motion to oust him.

The recent events in the council point to some level of instability within the coalition, however mayor Mpho Phalatse insists that isn’t the case.

“I appeal to all councillors, regardless of political affiliation, to abide by the council agenda and to conduct themselves in a manner that shows the residents of Joburg that they come first. Theatrics and other political posturing for headlines do not serve the residents of Joburg. The residents deserve the best from those that they elected,” Phalatse said.

Phalatse herself is expected to face a motion of no confidence in the council.