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Al Jama-ah - a party with only three seats in the City of Johannesburg Metro - will lead the largest city in the country.
This was after Thapelo Amad, the provincial chairperson of Al Jama-ah, was elected to the city’s top position after former DA mayor Mpho Phalatse-Malada was removed through a motion of no confidence on Thursday.
Amad's election on Friday brought to an end an era where majority political parties took turns in leading the city, with the Speaker, Colleen Makhubele, coming from a one-seat party, COPE.
The two political parties with few seats will be leading the city with millions of people and a hefty budget, as Gauteng is known as the economic hub of the country.
In his acceptance speech, Amad said the main priority was service delivery.
He said his second priority was to fix the city’s finances and rebuild the trust.
The Soweto-born leader said he was determined to build a capable workforce to serve the interests of the community.
Amad added:
“If today marks the beginning, we must remember the mass demonstrations, their votes and different manifestos for decent job opportunities, clean drinking water, functional sewers, free roads with no potholes and the protection of women and children.
"Today, we’re reminded that outside political activities, we have a common course to serve. We have neglected society for too long as we fight for control of the city."
According to Al Jama-ah president Ganief Hendriks, Amad's choice was based on merit.
His party, which was formed 15 years ago, has only three seats in the Joburg city council and one representative in the National Assembly.
Amad has been with the party for over two years and is also a national executive council member.
Before being elected as the mayor, Amad served as a member of the mayoral committee for development and planning under Dada Morero for 21 days last year.
READ: Joburg mayor out, City to be under a minority party, Al Jama-ah
The election of Amad, which was an agreement between ANC, EFF and other minority parties, signalled the end of the DA-led multiparty coalition government, which started after the local government elections in November 2021.
Opposition parties, including the ANC, EFF and other minority parties, managed to wrestle power away from the multiparty coalition led by the DA when they removed Phalatse-Malada through a motion of no confidence on Thursday.
With the ANC and the EFF looking like they have found each other, their combined numbers in Joburg and Ekurhuleni are viewed as a major threat to the survival of the multiparty coalition government.
While the takeover of Joburg is complete, on Thursday, the Speaker of the council in Ekurhuleni Raymond Dhlamini collapsed the council sitting before a motion of no confidence against him and the chief whip, Khetha Shandu, could be discussed.
READ: Phalatse's future in hands of 'uncooperative' DA, as motion of no confidence looms
In both metros, the ANC and the EFF have formed a major force even though the finer detail of their agreement is yet to be concluded.
The two political parties have allegedly reached an agreement after their national and provincial office bearers decided to handle the coalition between them late last year.
After failing to agree on which party to lead Joburg, ANC and EFF representatives, led by provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi and Marshal Dlamini, respectively, agreed to withdraw their candidates for the Joburg mayoral position in favour of Amad.
In the meeting attended by Al Jama-ah, African Independent Congress, Patriotic Alliance, ANC and the EFF, the parties agreed for a minority party candidate to be chosen.
READ: Mpho Phalatse has the last laugh
Meanwhile, opposition parties in Ekurhuleni want the rules that prevent them from tabling another motion against mayor Tania Campbell to be amended to nullify the six-month period.
The parties want to table another motion of no confidence against Campbell before the prescribed time set by the council last year. Insiders say they want to remove the mayor before the end of February.
