Amad returns to Johannesburg Mayoral Committee as MPG reclaims seat

The Minority Governing Parties (MPG) in Johannesburg have declared that the appointment of Thapelo Amad as the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development solidifies their role as a vital partner in the city’s governing coalition.

The MPG is a collective of ten smaller parties represented in the Johannesburg Council, currently aligned with the ANC-led coalition government. Under the current power-sharing agreement, the group is entitled to one seat on the Mayoral Committee—a position that, as of yesterday, is now held by Amad.

The transition has been marked by internal friction and delays. In October last year, the MPG passed a resolution to recall the previous MMC, Tebogo Nkonkou, citing poor performance. However, Nkonkou refused to step down. Despite his own party being a signatory to the MPG, Nkonkou challenged the group's authority, stating he did not recognise the MPG as a legitimate structure.

The stalemate ended on Friday when Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero officially removed Nkonkou from the committee and appointed Amad as his successor.

While welcoming the change, MPG Secretary Yongama Zigebe expressed frustration over the timeline, noting it was disappointing that it took the Mayor more than three months to act on the group's resolution.

“The Minority Governing Parties reiterate that coalition governance must be based on mutual respect, adherence to agreed processes, and implementation of resolutions without undue interference or delay,” Zigebe stated. “The implementation of this appointment should mark a return to principled, predictable, and functional coalition governance in the City of Johannesburg.”

Amad is no stranger to high-level city administration. He previously served a brief, three-month tenure as the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg in 2023 before resigning from the post.