Profile of the Speaker

Mr. Nhlanhla Nkomo was born and raised in Petsana. He started his primary school at Phinduzame Primary  School and finished his matric at Leifo Iziko Secondary School. He further went Falcon Business School and graduated with a business management diploma.

He was actively involved in politics since high school years and tertiary level. For 2 years he served in the SRC at that institution. He became a ward councillor at a very young age, as he wanted to bring about change within the community of Petsana.

Nhlanhla Nkomo developed a passion for politics at a very tender age. He joined the ANCYL in 1992 and in 2000 he became the member of the Regional Executive Committee of the former Bethlehem Region and a ward 7 councilor after the amalgamation.

He later went on to become the Chairperson of the Vukuzenzele Branch. In 2006 he was elected a ward councillor for ward 7, a member for the Executive Committee and a political head for Technical Services. In 2011 he was elected Speaker of the Council.

Role of the Speaker

The Constitution and Municipal Structures Act requires that every Council elects a Chairperson, who is called The Speaker. The aim of the Office of the Speaker is to structure the two functions of a Municipal Council, i.e. its legislative function and its executive function.

The Speaker presides at meetings of the Council and performs the duties and exercises the powers delegated to the Speaker. These duties include;

• Ensuring that Councilmeets at least quarterly;
• Maintaining order during meetings; must ensure;
• Ensuring compliance in the Council and Council committees with the Code of Conduct of Councillors; and
• Ensuring that Council meetings are conducted in accordance with the rules and orders of the Council.