Who is Cyril Xaba, the newly elected mayor of eThekwini Municipality?

Cyril Xaba, a long-time leader of the African National Congress (ANC), was officially elected as the new mayor of the troubled eThekwini Municipality.

Xaba was elected and sworn in at the Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) on Wednesday, 10 July.

INTRODUCING CYRIL XABA, THE NEW ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY MAYOR

As previously reported, former eThekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda was recalled and redeployed to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) after the historic 29 May elections. Xaba had been tipped to replace Kaunda.

Here’s what we know about the new mayor:

• Cyril Xaba was born in KwaZulu-Natal in 1967.
• He holds a Masters degree in Law (LLM) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban.
• He has held leadership roles in organisations such as the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), Natal Students Congress, University of Natal Black Students Society, ANC Youth League, ANC Regional Executive Committee and ANC Provincial Executive Committee.
• In 2014, he was appointed the MEC for Agriculture in KwaZulu-Natal.
• Between 2019 and 2024 he served in the portfolio committee of defence and military veterans.

POLITICAL PARTIES REACT

Meanwhile, ActionSA in KwaZulu-Natal welcomed Xaba’s appointment and said it hopes he will faithfully uphold his oath of office and serve the residents of eThekwini with integrity, dedication, and transparency.

ActionSA leader in KwaZulu-Natal Zwakele Mncwango said the ANC and the DA reached an understanding to split key positions among their parties. Mncwango said this decision, which will ultimately cost the council more money, has resulted in the separation of the Human Settlement and Infrastructure portfolios to appease the DA and their hunger for power.

“This coalition deal will increase expenditure in this department, with the IFP taking Human Settlement and the DA handling Infrastructure, which includes water, sanitation, and electricity. Each executive council member securing a position in this arrangement will weaken the opposition in the Municipality, as they each seek their share of the power. Ultimately, this leaves the residents to fend for themselves,” Mncwango said.

Equally, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has also welcomed Xaba’s appointment saying he is the right leader who will lead the reconfiguration of the city to ensure that it responds to the needs of residents and the business at large.

“Over the years, Mayor Cyril Xaba displayed exceptional administration skills and a deep understanding of policy formulation and implementation. It is for these reasons that in 2009 he was entrusted with the responsibility of being the Head of Secretariat of the first Planning Commission in any province in South Africa,” ANC KZN spokesperson Mafika Mndebele said.