Businessman turned local government politician Herman Mashaba was elected as Mayor of Johannesburg on Monday night‚ unseating former incumbent Parks Tau
Long before the official announcement‚ members of the Democratic Alliance lifted him like boxing champion and began to singing "thupa e etla" loosely translated "can you feel the whip".
Mashaba then walked around the hall thanking those who supported him‚ including members of the Economic Freedom Fighters.
Finally‚ he arrived just two metres from the people's Bae‚ Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. Shockingly‚ Ndlozi first tried to duck and avoid shaking his hand‚ but the the throng of journalists who were taking pictures of the moment were there to capture the rare moment‚ which seemingly prompted a rethink.
Ndlozi stood up‚ shared his trademark smile‚ shook hands‚ and congratulated him. He then sat down quietly.
Ndlozi stood up‚ shared his trademark smile‚ shook hands‚ and congratulated him. He then sat down quietly.
This marked the end of the reign of the African National Congress in the country's economic hub.
The inaugural meeting‚ the longest seen so far‚ went on till late evening.
While the EFF and DA members celebrated the win‚ ANC members sat in disbelief as they suffered yet another defeat in the hands of the country's biggest opposition party.
What made matters worse‚ was that the ANC not only lost power over the city‚ but also their councillor Nonhlanhla Mthembu‚ who collapsed during council and died despite medical staff trying to save her life.
By the time the results were announced‚ former mayor Parks Tau had seen it coming‚ and left to offer support to Mthembu's family.
The DA's chief whip nominee‚ Kevin Wax‚ won with 146 votes over the ANC's Solomon Mogase 123.
Mashaba took the trophy by securing 144 votes over Tau's 125.