Former Joburg Mayor Thapelo Amad appointed as Community Development MMC

Former Johannesburg Mayor Thapelo Amad has been appointed as the city’s new Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development.

The Al Jama-ah councillor replaces Tebogo Nkonkou, who was removed following a breakdown in relations with the Minority Governing Parties (MGP). The MGP is a bloc of 10 small parties within the Johannesburg Council that forms a critical part of the ANC-led coalition.

The move follows a period of friction within the coalition. Last year, the MGP formally requested Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero to ax Nkonkou, citing poor performance in the portfolio. The grouping subsequently nominated Amad as the preferred successor.

Yongama Zigebe, Secretary of the MGP, stated that while the group welcomes the appointment, the delay in implementing the change caused unnecessary friction.

“While the MGP welcomes the eventual implementation of this resolution, it must be placed on record that the prolonged delay in giving effect to a clear and properly taken coalition decision created uncertainty and undermined the principle of local coalition autonomy,” Zigebe said.

The MGP emphasised that for local coalitions to function effectively, leadership decisions must be executed promptly and decisively.

“Decisions taken by coalition partners at local government level must be respected and implemented timeously to ensure stability, accountability, and effective governance,” Zigebe added.

Amad’s return to the executive comes nearly three years after his short-lived tenure as Mayor. He resigned from the city’s top post in April 2023, just moments before facing a scheduled motion of no confidence.