MBABANE - Councillors of the Municipal Council of Mbabane yesterday elected Vusi Tembe as the new mayor of the city.
Tembe, who was competing with Thandayena Mkhonta, after nominations, got seven votes while his competitor got five. The councillors then proceeded to nominate three candidates to compete for the position of deputy mayor. They were Thandayena Mkhonta, Thulani Mkhonta and Ayanda Sigudla. However, Thulani withdrew, leaving the duo to compete. Sigudla won against Thandayena and became the Deputy Mayor. The councillors nominated Thulani (Mkhonta) and Sandile Ndzingane to compete for the position of chairman of the town’s finance committee. Ndzingane won with seven votes against Thulani who obtained five.
Mbutfo Nhlengetfwa was nominated together with Percy Rocher for the position of Deputy Finance Chairperson. Rocher won with seven votes, while Nhlengetfwa got five votes.
Monday Dlamini was nominated together with Maphevu Dlamini to fill the vacant position in the finance committee. Maphevu won with eight voted against Monday, who got four. Velisiwe Manana won uncontested for the vacant position of finance committee member. In his farewell speech, outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gideon Mhlongo urged the councillors to join hands with the mayor in taking the town to greater heights. He also warned the councillors against dwelling in the past.
Mhlongo encouraged the deputy mayor to cooperate with the mayor as they worked towards improving the town. The councillors congratulated the mayor for his election, stating that they were committed to supporting him as he executed his duties. “We are soldiers and we are ready to serve, said the councillors. However, in his brief remarks, Tembe thanked the councillors for trusting him with the mayor position. He stated that elections resembled the symbol of trust among the councillors. He undertook to work with all the councillors in making sure that they took the town forward.