How to Become A Mayor In South Africa

What Does a Mayor Do?

Traditionally, mayors oversee a city’s main departments, including the police, fire, education, housing and transportation departments. At the same time, their responsibilities vary depending on the local power structure. There are four main options for a city’s local government structure, and some cities use a combination of several.

What is the role of a mayor in South Africa?

The mayor’s role, extends well beyond officiating at council meetings or other municipal proceedings and includes providing leadership, promoting positive relationships, and modelling good governance.

What are mayors roles and responsibilities?

The mayor’s responsibilities are primarily to preside at council meetings and to act as head of the city for ceremonial purposes and for purposes of military law. The mayor votes as a councilmember and does not have any veto power. The board of commissioners sits as a body, passes laws, and makes policy.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Mayor

The Municipal Act, 2001, Section 225, identifies the Mayor’s responsibilities as follows:

• To be head of the municipal council and to act as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.

• To preside over council meetings.

• To provide leadership to council.

• To represent the municipality at official functions.

• To carry out the duties of the Head of Council under this or any other Act.

• To perform duties of a member of council as outlined in the Municipal Act, 2001, Section 224.

Mayor Career Outlook

According to the BLS, the employment of top executives, such as mayors, is projected to grow 6% through 2024. Job prospects may vary according to local conditions, and competition is typically strong for elected positions.

Employment prospects and salary ranges also may vary based on the employer and regional market conditions, as well as individual work history and education. Prospective students are encouraged to conduct independent research to determine the actual mayor career and salary potential.

Qualifications for Mayor

No persons shall be mayor or a member of city council if that person is ineligible for such office pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section 45-2-1 of the O.C.G.A., any other general law applicable to that office, or any provision of this charter.

As a Member of the City Council from a District:

In order to be elected or appointed as a member of the city council from a district, that person must have resided in that council district for a least six months prior to the election or appointment thereto and, if elected must receive a plurality of votes cast for that office in that district only and not at large. Only electors who are residents of the council district may vote for a member of the council for that district.

At the time of qualifying for election as a member of the city council for a council district, each candidate for such office shall specify the council district for which that person is a candidate.

 A person elected or appointed as a member of the city council from a council district must continue to reside in that district during that person’s term of office or that office shall become vacant.

As an At-large Member of the City Council:

In order to be elected or appointed as an at-large member of the city council, a person must have resided in the city for at least one year prior to the election or appointment thereto and, if elected, must receive a plurality of votes cast in the entire city. Only electors who are residents of the city may vote for an at-large member of the council.

A person elected or appointed as an at-large member of the city council must continue to reside in the city during that person’s term of office or that office shall become vacant.

How to Become a Mayor

In most municipalities, mayors are elected by the voting public. Required education and work experience can vary.

Some cities require at least a high school diploma while others may prefer mayoral candidates with advanced education, such as a master’s degree in public administration or business administration.

Large cities with multiple departments and thousands of employees typically require the skills and knowledge of a mayor with at least a bachelor’s degree in communications, business administration, public administration or a related field, as well as management experience.

What is the role of a mayor in South Africa?

The mayor’s role, extends well beyond officiating at council meetings or other municipal proceedings and includes providing leadership, promoting positive relationships, and modelling good governance.

How many wards are in South Africa?

Metropolitan and local municipalities are divided into wards, with each ward electing one councillor to the municipal council. As of August 2016 there are 4,392 wards in South Africa.

What are mayors roles and responsibilities In South Africa?

The mayor’s responsibilities are primarily to preside at council meetings and to act as head of the city for ceremonial purposes and for purposes of military law. The mayor votes as a councilmember and does not have any veto power. The board of commissioners sits as a body, passes laws, and makes policy.

Does the mayor control the police In South Africa?

The Chief of Police (COP) is the highest-ranking officer in the Police Department. The COP is appointed by the Mayor, is subject to the approval of the Police Commission and the City Council, and can serve a maximum of two five-year terms.

What does a mayor do in a small town In South Africa?

To be head of the municipal council and to act as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. To preside over council meetings. To provide leadership to council. To represent the municipality at official functions.

Where does a mayor work In South Africa?

Mayor, in modern usage, the head of a municipal government. As such, the mayor is almost invariably the chairman of the municipal council and of the council executive committee. In addition the mayor may fulfill the roles of chief executive officer, ceremonial figurehead, and local agent of the central government.

Can a mayor be fired In South Africa?

A mayor is the sole chief of the executive branch of the municipality and he/she cannot serve in the municipal council (city council) or in the parliament. Mayors cannot be dismissed by the municipal council, but they can be removed from the office by the citizens of their municipality in a referendum.

What are the powers of a mayor?

The mayor is the chief executive officer, centralizing executive power. The mayor directs the administrative structure, appointing and removing of department heads. While the council has legislative power, the mayor has veto power. The council does not oversee daily operations.