President Cyril Ramaphosa says as much as he is disappointed at the poor showing of the African National Congress (ANC) in the November 1 polls, their poor performance was a lesson for them to learn from and restore.

The ANC has lost Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane Metros to the Democratic Alliance (DA).

Ramaphosa on ANC’s poor election performance:

Speaking on domestic issues on the sidelines of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to the country, Ramaphosa said losing key metros in Gauteng and others elsewhere in the country was a setback to the governing party but he says what has happened is democracy in action.

Meanwhile, the DA’s Randall Williams has been elected Mayor in the City of Tshwane. Katlego Mathebe was elected for a second term as Speaker.

The ANC did not submit any candidate for the mayoral position and refused to vote for the nominated candidates of their rivals. The 2021 local government elections did not produce an outright winner to govern Tshwane.

Tshwane Council meeting and voting under way for the 2021-2026 term of office:

The ANC’s Aaron Maluleke says they will remain an opposition and will not be controlled by the EFF.

“These drum majorettes of Julius Malema cannot control us. We are not saying that this will not continue. So the whole voting won’t even threaten us here. Actually, voting is not an issue for us. We are opposition and we are not worried about that. I mean people understand that so will continue with that thank you.”

Johannesburg mayor

On Monday, the DA’s Dr Mpho Phalatse was voted as the new City of Johannesburg mayor.

Phalatse got 144 of the 270 possible votes in the City. The African National Congress (ANC) mayoral candidate, Mpho Moerane got 121 votes.

Dr Phalatse said her election signals that democracy in South Africa is maturing, with multi-party governments becoming the order of the day.

A first female Mayor for the country’s economic hub, Phalatse said it’s now time for the citizens of the city to have access to basic services, irrespective of their political affiliation.

Phalatse was cheered by DA members in the council, as the announcement was made by the newly elected Speaker who is also a DA member, Vasco Da Gama.

Ekhurhuleni mayor

The DA’s Tania Campbell was also elected the new mayor of the Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality on Monday.

Of the 221 votes cast, Campbell got 116 whilst the African National Congress’ (ANC) Mzwandile Masina obtained 105 votes.

Campbell said the process of giving the people of Ekurhuleni their dignity back starts. She said she will ensure that every tender that is issued is done so in a transparent and fair manner and ensure there’s value for money.