Newly-elected Johannesburg Mayor, Herman Mashaba, on Friday introduced one of the most representative teams as the City’s members of mayoral committee (MMCs) with 50-50 gender and 70-30 race representation.

In a bid to “professionalise” the administration of the City, Mashaba said this team was comprised of both academics and activists whom had dedicated their careers in public service.

Mashaba’s team is made up of five men and five women, who among them comprise of seven black and three white members.

“This team is made up of doctors, a professor, and community development activists that have deep love for Johannesburg, people who have passion for development and people that want what’s best for our city,” Mashaba said.

For instance, Mashaba appointed development economists and Wits University professor of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, Dr Rabelani Dagada, as MMC for Finance.

“In public safety portfolio, I selected councillor [Michael] Sun, an admitted attorney who understands the law and is passionate about public safety and justice, and was also the MMC for Public Safety for the past five years. In health a social development, I’ve appointed a trained medical doctor with vast experience across the medical sector,” Mashaba said.

“In Environment and Infrastructure Service, I’ve appointed a former managing director of Johannesburg Water, someone who has consulted widely across utilities.”

Mashaba took over the administration of Africa’s economic hub on Monday after a marathon battle with former mayor, Parks Tau, whom he defeated with 19 votes.

As he had promised when accepting his position on Monday, Mashaba reiterated his promise to create jobs in the city and deal with corruption.

He said though the members of his team did not have experience in any spheres of local government, he was confident that they would be up to the task.

Mashaba said not all his MMC team was made up of the Democratic Alliance members as two of them were from the Inkatha Freedom Party.

Mashaba ended by saying his relationship with the City manager, Trevor Fowler, was good and professional, but they were still in discussions about his future.

Here is a list of the MMCs:

1. Dr Rabelani Dagada – Finance
2. Dr Valencia Khumalo – Corporate Service
3. Anthony William Still – Environmentand Infrastructure Services
4. Michael Sun – Public Safety
5. Sharon Peetz – Economic Development
6. Richard Funzella Ngobeni – Development Planning
7. Mzobanzi Ntuli – Housing
8. Nonhlanhla Helen Makhuba – Transport
9. Dr Mpho Phalatsi – Health and Social Development