#WeRejectMayorOfJoburg: Mzansi wants newly elected Zimbabwean Mayor out
Jolidee Matongo, the son of a migrant from Zimbabwe, has been elected unopposed as new executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg, the metro announced.
The 269 councillors in the metro did not submit any other names and as per the Municipal Structures Act, in the case, that there was only one nominee, that person automatically assumed the position. A special council sitting was called on Tuesday by Speaker of the Johannesburg council, the ANC’s Nonceba Molwele. In his acceptance speech, Matongo made sure he reminded everyone that he is the son of a Zimbabwean migrant.
Matongo was born in 1975 in Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa. However, he matriculated at Orlando West High School where he joined the Soweto Students Congress (Sosco) and Congress of South African Students (Cosas).
The 46-year-old is a Soweto-born former student activist. He served as the MMC for Finance under Makhubo.
#WeRejectMayorOfJoburg: Mzansi wants newly elected Zimbabwean Mayor out
However, in the wake of his new appointment, Mzansi is not impressed. The City of Johannesburg has seen itself trending for the wrong reasons. South Africans have taken it to social media to air their disgruntlement over the new appointment. The new elected has already suffered his first blow as Joburg Mayor.
Well, he has been facing criticism because of being Zimbabwean. However, the council might have welcomed him but Jozi residents are taking none of it. #WeRejectMayorOfJoburg hashtags have already gained momentum calling for the immediate resignation of Matongo.
However, his appointment makes him the third mayor in the City since the local government elections in 2016. Previously the City was led by Geoff Makhubo. The former mayor succumbed to Covid-19. Matongo is expected to announce the members of his mayoral committee during the next council meeting.