New Joburg Mayor

SOUTH AFRICA – The Johannesburg City Council members voted for a new mayor just one day after Mpho Phalatse of the Democratic Alliance was ousted as mayor of Johannesburg following a no-confidence vote.

Thapelo Amad of Al Jama-ah serves as Johannesburg’s interim mayor. He earned 138 votes, while the Phalatse received 81, and Funzi Ngobeni of Action SA received the support of 46 council members. Earlier on Friday, they received a nomination.

He said he made history by being elected as the first Muslim mayor of South Africa’s economic hub.

“It has nothing to do with the religion. There are no racial lines. We are humanity and we need to serve.”