Cyril Xaba is the new mayor of Ethekwini Municipality. Image: Parliament.gov.za.
Former KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Cyril Xaba (57) has been appointed as the new Mayor of the eThekwini Municipality, replacing Mxolisi Kaunda who was ousted from the position in June.
Xaba’s appointment and swearing-in to office took place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on Wednesday.
According to his Wikipedia profile, Xaba, holds a B. Proc and a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He served as KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development from 2016 to 2019. From 2019 to 2024, when he was a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa, he served as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans and as Co-Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.
Xaba had been speculated to take over the mayoral position amidst competition from notable figures such as former South African Police Service Minister Bheki Cele and former KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
In his first speech as mayor, Xaba said the priorities of his office included improving water and sanitation infrastructure, improving the safety and cleanliness of the city of Durban, inner city rejuvenation, strengthening good governance and fighting corruption, attracting investment and promoting an inclusive economy that creates jobs.
