THERE are several new faces in the mayoral committee, announced by Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku, herself newly appointed, on Tuesday, 12 May.

She read out the names of her appointments in the Office of the Municipal Manager at 11am.

Newcomer Sakhumzi Caga now heads the special programmes section and Sindiswa Gomba is the head of Integrated Development Plan (IDP), budget, policy and performance management.

The mayoral committee is a municipal structure, in which selected councillors are responsible for different aspects of the government. Committee members also advise the executive mayor on the municipality’s strategic direction, with each member chairing a portfolio committee made up of councillors from various political parties.

“The mayoral committee is announced at a critical time in the country in which the other spheres of government - national and provincial - have revealed several changes in the quest to steer the country forward,” said the City’s spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya.

National and provincial elections were held on 22 April, bringing about far-reaching changes in those spheres of governance.

In Buffalo City, most councillors were moved to different portfolios, including Luntu Bobo, who now heads engineering and infrastructure development, and John Badenhorst, who heads health and public safety.

The finance section is headed by Nomhizana Sityi, who was in the development planning section. Sithembiso Tyilo has been moved from the engineering section to local economic development, tourism and rural development.

Mankomo Pango moved from local economic development, tourism and rural development to community services, while Fudukile Mbovane is now portfolio head for housing, Mhleli Matika heads development planning and Sizwe Dikimolo is at corporate services.

“The mayoral committee aspires to the vision of the City geared at ensuring that Buffalo City becomes a people-centred place of opportunity where the basic needs of all are met in a safe, healthy and sustainable environment,” added Ngwenya.

Mayoral sub-committees have been established to facilitate working relationships between the political leadership of the mayoral committee and senior management on the City manager's team.