Durban – Zandile Gumede was elected as the new eThekwini Metro mayor on Tuesday, taking over the reins from James Nxumalo.
She is the metro’s first female mayor.
Gumede received 124 votes. The DA’s candidate Zwakele Mncwango got 87.
ANC councillors erupted into song when Gumede’s name was announced, singing the party’s anthem, Asinavalo (We are not afraid).
Before the nomination, the DA made a surprise announcement that it had nominated Mncwango and ditched Haniff Hoosen who had been the party’s face in the metro for the August 3 municipal elections.
Minority Front councillor Patrick Pillay objected to the sudden change. Newly-elected speaker Lekgoa Mapena dismissed his objection.
It was not immediately clear why the DA chose Mncwango over Hoosen.