Prof. William Gumede , Executive Chairperson of Democracy Works Foundation And Associate Professor, School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand

First Thing is First | What next after the local government elections? Coalitions will be the order of the day, making election of mayors and speakers more complicated as parties wrestle for power According to the Municipal Structures Act, which regulates the process of assigning powers and functions to local government, a council must meet and appoint its representatives within 14 days after the result of the election of a local council has been declared.  The first order of business would ordinarily be the election of the speaker, the councillor who will chair council meetings, maintain order and ensure the council meets at least quarterly. The act states that the municipal manager of the municipality, or, if the municipal manager is not available, a person designated by the MEC for local government in the province, presides over the election of a speaker. A councillor may not hold the office of speaker and mayor or executive mayor at the same time.   Guest: Prof. William Gumede , Executive Chairperson of Democracy Works Foundation And Associate Professor, School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand