The newly-elected Speaker of the City of Joburg council, Margaret Arnolds, says she is ready to take on her responsibilities. Arnolds, who is a councillor for the African Independent Congress (AIC), was appointed unopposed earlier today during an extraordinary council sitting in Johannesburg.
The Joburg council was left in limbo following the expulsion of Colleen Makhubele by her party, the Congress of the People (COPE).
The DA did not take part in the council meeting, insisting that it was a waste of taxpayers’ money and that the council should be dissolved.
Arnolds has called on all council members to work together.
“The speaker of the council is, among other things, responsible for safeguarding the independence of council, maintaining the authority therein, and ensuring that the standing rules and orders of council are observed. Councillors, it is indeed possible for the speaker to achieve this by working together with all 270 councillors, political party leaders, and whips. It is important for all of us to ensure that the decorum of council is maintained collectively and not only by one or two,” says Arnolds.
WATCH: The Speaker of Council delivers her acceptance speech #CoJSpeaker #JoburgCouncil
🔗https://t.co/Q9oEh8EyNm ^GZ pic.twitter.com/wGxB7VuAg1
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) November 20, 2023
We thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Cllr Margaret Arnolds on her election as the Speaker of the @CityofJoburgZA Council! 🎊👏
Your commitment to public service and dedication to our vibrant community has not gone unnoticed.#Malingongwe pic.twitter.com/ahHhaytEmP— Loyiso Lugayeni-Masuku (@Loyiso_Masuku) November 20, 2023
WATCH: The Speaker of Council, Cllr Margaret Arnolds, is ushered to her official seat #CoJSpeaker #JoburgCouncil ^GZ pic.twitter.com/3C9sb1v6W3
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) November 20, 2023
