“Newly elected Speaker Cllr Mfundo Bongela is sworn in during JGDM’s Special Council Meeting in Ekhephini
Ekhephini
The Joe Gqabi District Municipality (JGDM) Council has elected Councillor Mfundo Bongela as the new Speaker of Council following a Special Council Meeting held earlier today, Thursday, 18 June 2026.
Cllr Bongela succeeds Cllr Mzukhona Bomela, who resigned on 17 June 2026. Cllr Bomela served as Speaker with distinction, providing leadership to Council and championing public participation across the district. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in strengthening the relationship between Council and communities, ensuring residents had a voice in local governance and municipal decision-making.
The municipality extended sincere appreciation to Cllr Bomela for his dedicated service, commitment to democratic governance, and significant contribution to advancing public participation within the Joe Gqabi District.
The newly elected Speaker was sworn in during the Special Council Meeting. Cllr Bongela brings a strong background in public participation and governance. He currently serves as a Public Representative Councillor in Senqu Local Municipality and was appointed as an Indirect Council Representative to JGDM in May 2026.
Cllr Bongela previously served as Public Participation Manager in Senqu Local Municipality and has extensive experience in community engagement, stakeholder relations, and governance processes. He currently serves as Chairperson of the African National Congress in the Joe Gqabi Region and has served on community structures including the Empilisweni Hospital Board and the Justice Forum.
He holds qualifications in Public Management and Sports Management and Marketing, complemented by various leadership and communication development programmes.
In accepting the responsibility, Cllr Bongela committed to responding to the socio-economic challenges facing the district:
“Seated here today, I know the issues of unemployment, inequality and poverty confronting our people. I come here knowing the hardships of many villages across our district. My contribution, together with the collective, will be to see to it that we respond with speed, and communicate where there are hurdles so that our communities are kept informed with the information they deserve to have at their disposal.”
He thanked the outgoing Speaker for his contribution.
Councillors who recently joined Council were allocated to Standing Committees to ensure all structures remain fully functional. Executive Mayor Cllr Nomvuyo Mposelwa appointed Cllr Bomela as the new Chairperson of the Technical and Water Services Standing Committee, following the position becoming vacant after the resignation of Cllr Ruth Lengs earlier this year.
The Executive Mayor congratulated Cllr Bongela on his election and expressed confidence in his ability to lead Council proceedings with integrity and fairness while advancing the municipality’s commitment to responsive and participatory local governance.
