Johannesburg City Council is expected to elect a new Speaker following the recent ousting of ActionSA’s Nobuhle Mthembu through a motion of no confidence tabled by Al Jama-ah.
Mthembu’s removal has effectively ended the coalition between ActionSA and the African National Congress (ANC) in Johannesburg.
However, both parties have indicated they will continue to cooperate in other municipalities across the country.
Sources close to the council proceedings suggest that the incoming speaker is likely to hail from one of the smaller political parties.
Speculation is rife that African Independent Congress (AIC) councillor Margaret Arnolds—currently serving as the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance—is poised for a return to the role.
Arnolds previously held the speaker’s seat in 2023 but was removed following a power-sharing agreement between ActionSA and the ANC.
If elected, Arnolds’ appointment is expected to trigger a broader reshuffle within the Mayoral Committee, as smaller parties continue to press for increased representation in senior leadership roles.
Their push comes amid growing concerns over the ANC’s dominance in top council positions, including the mayor and council whip portfolios.
ActionSA has been sidelined from the current Speaker selection process after the party declined to support ANC Mayor Dada Morero in last week’s confidence vote.
Johannesburg’s council has been marked by instability over the past three years, having cycled through four speakers—each from a different political party.
The new appointment, expected on Thursday, will be the city’s fifth speaker during this turbulent period.
Politics
