The former MMC- for finance in CoJ takes over from the late Geoff mayor Makhubo who succumbed to Covid-19 complications, last month.
The (46) was elected unopposed, at the Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday, 10 August 2021.
Matongo is a seasoned politician, who holds various qualifications that include a B-Tech degree in Public Management, Project Management, Quality Assurance as well as Public Management and Development certificates. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration.
The Dube born, in Soweto, took up political activism at a tender age of 13. He subsequently joined the Soweto Students Congress (SOSCO) and the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), which he served in various capacities, respectively.
He grew through the ranks as a youth activist until he became a member of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League wherein he served as a Regional Secretary, and he was later elected the Regional Chairperson in the Greater Johannesburg Region.
He has further served as a member of the Johannesburg ANC Regional Executive Committee (REC) for 18 years – wherein he was the Region’s Head of Media and Communications, and elected the Region Spokesperson for two consecutive terms.
Matongo joined the public service just over a decade ago, and was first appointed an Operations Manager in the Housing Department of the City.
He later became the City’s Deputy Director of Youth Development – a function that prompted the municipality to prioritise programmes that were directed particularly at youth inclusion and empowerment.
He went on to become a councillor in the Johannesburg Council ahead of his appointment by the late Mayor Makhubo as the MMC for Finance in December 2019.
Since then he has been leading the finance department in striking a balance between the city’s coffers and the unusual service delivery demands amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In his address to the press post the announcement Matongo promised to ring-in some changes such as those elected to office positions be accountable and deliver services and the budget allocation be used fruitfully to benefit the masses of Joburg.
The incoming new mayor also said the issue of rate billing and other key economic factors will be attended to, as soon as possible, so is financial stability.
Matongo will announce members of his mayoral committee on Wednesday, 11 August 2021.
Image (One of the youngest Mayors’ to ascend to hottest seat in town, Jolidee Matongo is the new sheriff in town).
