GSDM elects new speaker

The Acting Municipal Manager of Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM), Mr. Ephraim Thabethe, convened the sitting of the Council of GSDM on 14 August 2020, and presided over the election of the new Speaker of Council, Cllr. Busisiwe Sekhonde. The election of Cllr. Sekhonde follows a vacancy created by the passing of late Cllr. Mangaliso Joshua Nkosi in July 2020. In her acceptance speech as the new elected Speaker of Council, Cllr. Sekhonde appreciated the confidence and responsibility bestowed upon her to provide political and administrative leadership to Council.

“These are the big shoes left by the late Cllr. Joshua Nkosi, but I trust that we will continue working together and that we will remain as united as we have been,” said Cllr. Sekhonde. Prior to the new role, Cllr. Sekhonde served as a Member of the Mayoral Committee responsible for Community and Social Services. The election of the new Speaker was conducted virtually, and was conducted in line with Section 36, 37 and 39 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 1998 (Act 117 of 1998).