24 March 2006

By Clifford Mogotsi and Sipho None

MOGALE City's new mayoral committee has been announced. The naming of new portfolio heads follows the local government elections on 1 March and the election of the City's mayor.

The appointments follow the election, on 15 March, of Mogale City's new mayor, Koketso Calvin Seerane of the African National Congress (ANC). Seerane was the council's former chief whip.

Seerane's team consists of the following portfolio heads:

• Housing - Lashman Baloyi;
• Health - Emily Mathe;
• Public safety - Peace Mabe;
• Social services - Olivia Lucia Caldeira;
• Sport, arts and libraries - Jacqueline Nomalanga Ntamane;
• Local economic development - Barry Hilton Friedman;
• Environmental management - Iris Makola;
• Governance - Peter Moeketsi;
• Infrastructure - Sipho Dube; and
• Finance - Farouk Bhayat.

The council's chief whip, Boyce Maneli, explained how the 10 committee members were chosen. "The way the ANC does it, the executive mayor, regional office bearers as well as the provincial structure of the organisation are behind the appointment procedures of the incumbent mayoral committee."

There have been a number of changes in the mayoral committee, most noticeably in gender equity. From only two female portfolio heads in the previous committee, there are now an equal number of male and female officials.

Maneli said that gender equality was high on the ANC's agenda.

The other major change in the new committee is the split of the community service portfolio, previously headed by Eunice Segatlhe, who is now the speaker of the West Rand District Municipality.

Community service has been split into three portfolios, namely health, social services and sport, arts and libraries.

Mogale City has 64 councillors in total, with the ANC having 42. The Democratic Party (DA) has 16 councillors, with smaller parties holding the other positions.

Seerane takes up mayoral hotseat

ANC again takes Mogale City

Mogale City voters nail their colours to the ANC mast

Baloyi heads ANC election list

Mayor upbeat on City's achievements