Mayoral career[edit]

After fellow Al Jama-ah councillor Thapelo Amad resigned as mayor of Johannesburg due to pressure from coalition partners, the largest party in council, the African National Congress, endorsed Gwamanda for the position of mayor on 5 May 2023 in order to keep its alliance with the Economic Freedom Fighters, another party in council.^[1][2] He was elected during a council vote held via secret ballot on that same day, receiving 139 votes out of the 266 votes.^[3][4] Gwamanda announced his mayoral committee shortly after his election.^[5]


The Democratic Alliance caucus in council has called Gwamanda a "scammer" over allegations that he scammed residents into investing in a funeral/investment scheme through his company iThemba Lama Afrika.^[6]


Gwamanda delivered his maiden State of the City Address on 6 June 2023.^[7] The following day, Gwamanda fell ill during the debate on the State of the City Address and was hospitalised.^[8]