Wednesday, 27 May 2026 · 1 h 22 min · 1 video · 2021–2026 council
11th Special Council Meeting
AI draft.Written by AI from the livestream and not yet checked by a person. Use the timestamps to check anything before you quote it.
- Other business (no topic tag)
- Procedure: roll call, apologies, breaks
- Decision (2)
- ‖Adjourned or paused (1)
Chapters, decisions and procedure are AI drafts from the livestream; topic tags are AI judgments (a chapter with several shows its strongest). Services, housing and development covers water, electricity, roads, housing, waste, safety, health, planning and community facilities.
Council held a special sitting as a memorial service for Cllr Joyce Tshedo, an EFF PR councillor based in Alexandra, and Cllr Simphiwe Oscar Simelane, the Ward 19 councillor in Soweto. 00:00:00 00:05:54 The Speaker said Cllr Tshedo died on 7 May 2026 and Cllr Simelane on 12 May 2026 after a short illness, and that both were buried on 16 May. 01:03:03
Council noted the memorial and the official removal of the two councillors' names from the chamber in the ritual of ukusula igama. 01:03:03 It also noted, without objection, leave of absence and late arrivals reported by the DA, IFP, ANC, ActionSA, PA and ACDP caucuses, with 44 apologies read out. 00:01:30 00:58:47
The Executive Mayor was absent, and Cllr Mgcina delivered his condolence message on behalf of the ANC. 00:05:54 Tributes followed from the EFF, ANC, ActionSA, ACDP, Al Jama-ah, COPE, DA, IFP, PA and UDM, and Mr Tito Zwane and Mr Morris thanked Council on behalf of the two families. 00:14:34 00:20:12 00:30:19 00:33:20 00:38:32 00:41:31 00:44:52 00:48:53 00:52:26 00:56:35 00:58:47 01:13:41
The Speaker adjourned the memorial sitting and announced that Council would reconvene later the same day for the budget meeting. 01:19:37 Only people who had reserved gallery seats would be admitted to the budget meeting, and councillors were told to sign a second register for it. 01:19:37
AI draft from the record of this sitting (Claude Opus 5.5), checked against the chapters; every sentence links to the moment. Report an error
This week in council: Council approves R97.1 billion budget 139 for, 92 against, and KfW loan 181 to 44
In brief
Chapters
17What was discussed, in order. Click a time to watch.
- 00:00:00
Opening and welcome to the memorial service
The Speaker welcomes councillors, officials, the Tshedo and Simelane families and the gallery to a memorial service for two councillors. She notes that it is three months after their passing and that the sitting honours Cllr Joyce Tshedo (born 26 April 1961) and Cllr Simphiwe Oscar Simelane (born 1 March 1987).
Report an error - 00:01:30
Leave of absence and late arrivals
Caucus representatives report leave of absence and expected late arrivals. The DA lists leave for ill health, party business, private business and a court appearance, and the IFP, ANC, ActionSA (in Tshivenda) and PA report late arrivals and absences. The ACDP's late-arrival notice for Cllr Harris is redirected by the Speaker to the later session.
MaseraDAMakhubaIFPNdlelaANCPitsoPARohlssenACDP1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:05:54
Condolence message from the Executive Mayor
Cllr Mgcina delivers the Executive Mayor's message on behalf of the ANC. She pays tribute to Cllr Simelane of Ward 19 in Soweto and Cllr Tshedo, an EFF PR councillor based in Alexandra. She extends condolences to both families and closes with scripture.
Report an error - 00:14:34
Condolence message from the EFF
Cllr Khonkhobe speaks for the EFF in remembrance of 'Mama Joyce' Tshedo, a Ward 108 and Sub-region E activist, and of Cllr Simelane of Ward 19. She thanks both families and urges councillors to recommit to servant leadership, unity and integrity.
Report an error - 00:20:12
Condolence message from the ANC and a poem
The Chair of Chairs speaks for the ANC and describes Cllr Simelane as a disciplined, humble leader and Cllr Tshedo as a strong voice for ordinary residents. He reads a poem about life as borrowed time and the need for forgiveness and kindness. He closes with condolences to both families.
Report an error - 00:30:19
ActionSA tribute to Cllr Tshedo
Cllr Matabane remembers Cllr Joyce Tshedo as warm, generous and available to anyone in Alexandra, regardless of political affiliation. She extends condolences to the family, the EFF and the community and quotes scripture.
Report an error - 00:33:20
ACDP condolences
Cllr Rohlssen offers the ACDP's condolences and describes Cllr Simelane as humble and generous, and Cllr Tshedo as a strong, strict and hard-working activist. He speaks of faith and urges people not to carry their burdens alone.
Report an error - 00:38:32
Al Jama-ah condolences
Cllr Karolia conveys Al Jama-ah's condolences to the EFF, the ANC, the residents of Soweto and both families. He recalls Cllr Tshedo as disciplined and hard-working and Cllr Simelane's focus on youth empowerment and service delivery, citing the Quran.
Report an error - 00:41:31
COPE condolences
Cllr Mokome expresses COPE's condolences to both families, partly in Setswana, and notes that the two councillors served in this chamber. He reflects on an excerpt from the Serenity Prayer.
Report an error - 00:44:52
DA condolences
Cllr Sifumba says that despite political differences, councillors are united in service, and honours both Cllr Tshedo and Cllr Simelane. She quotes Galatians 6:9 and Ecclesiastes 3, and extends DA condolences to the EFF, the ANC and the families.
Report an error - 00:48:53
ActionSA condolences to the Simelane family
Cllr Mposula speaks for ActionSA, directing condolences to the Simelane family. She recalls the shock of hearing of Cllr Simelane's death, describes him as a young, purpose-driven Ward 19 councillor, and quotes Psalm 90:12.
Report an error - 00:52:26
IFP condolences
Cllr Manganyi shares personal memories of Cllr Tshedo's warmth and humour. She relays an IFP branch chairperson's account of Cllr Simelane treating everyone with respect regardless of politics. She conveys the IFP's condolences to the families, the EFF and the ANC.
Report an error - 00:56:35
Patriotic Alliance condolences
Cllr Pitso speaks of the honour of public service and the legacy of both councillors, whose impact on their wards will not be forgotten. She wishes the two families peace and thanks them for giving a son and a daughter to the city.
Report an error - 00:58:47
UDM condolences
Cllr Zigebe pays tribute to Cllr Tshedo as a grassroots servant of Alexandra and a colleague on the Section 79 Committee on Gender, Youth and People with Disabilities. He also honours Cllr Simelane as a young, energetic leader whose potential was cut short. He extends the UDM's condolences to both families and parties.
Report an error - 01:03:03
Speaker's remarks and the ritual of removing names
The Speaker recounts the councillors' service. Cllr Tshedo was sworn in on 5 November 2021, died on 7 May 2026 and was buried on 16 May. Cllr Simelane was sworn in on the same date, died on 12 May 2026 after a short illness and was buried on 16 May. She explains that their seats carry the council flag, pillar candles and flowers and that the meeting is also to officially remove their names in the ritual of ukusula igama. The transcript records no speech between about 01:09 and 01:13.
Report an error - 01:13:41
Comments by the families
Mr Tito Zwane for the Simelane family and Mr Morris for the Tshedo family thank Council for the tributes and the memorial. Mr Zwane says the family now feels less alone. Mr Morris speaks mostly in Sepedi and thanks councillors for their words and the poem.
Report an error - 01:19:37
Announcements and closure
The Speaker thanks the families and announces that Council will return at 12:30 for the budget meeting. Only people who reserved gallery seats will be admitted, and councillors must sign the second register for the budget. The SDC explains the exit process.
Report an error
Promises
1Commitments with a date, an amount or a 'we will'.
On 5 November 2026 (when this page was built): 0 overdue, 0 due in the next 30 days, 0 with no date. Overdue first; dates are AI readings of what was said; tap or hover a label for how. All promises.
Due the same or next dayMargeret Sheron Arnolds · AIC
Council will reconvene at 12:30 the same day for the budget meeting.
01:20:11· by 12:30 today· Report an error
Not raised again in 9 sitting days since; no City report.
Evidence: quote
“when we adjourn, we come back at 12:30 for our budget.”
Decisions
2What council approved, rejected or put off.
- 01:01:30
Applications for leave of absencenoted
Leave of absence and late arrivals reported by the DA, IFP, ANC, ActionSA, PA and ACDP caucuses were received by the Speaker without objection.
- 01:08:31
Memorial service and removal of the names of Cllrs Tshedo and Simelane (ukusula igama)noted
The Speaker stated that tributes were received from all parties and that the meeting was also held to officially remove the two councillors' names from the chamber.
Attendance and conduct
45Who was away and why, as said in the chamber.
Apologies read out 44
- Ill health (5)
- Maureen Mnisi, Shackleford, Roberts, Nyembe*, Mgaga
- Party business (14)
- Crichton, Schay, Mazibuko*, Ncube, Christians, Kamela, Ramaru, Stuart Marais, Kreusch, Mkhonto, Ngwetsheni, Mabunda*, Themba Mabunda, Mokoka
- Other reason (1)
- Van Der Merwe
- Private business (3)
- Moloisane, Neuren Pietersen, Mabaso
- Arriving late (19)
- Horwitz, Khanyile, Mkhize, Manganyi, Ramafikeng, Zungu, Mmbengwa, Lebatlang, Xulu, Kaldine, Wilskut, Ponsonby, Louw, Smouse, Mokwena, Unidentified councillor*, Kunene, Steenkamp*, Harris
- Family responsibility (2)
- Masuku*, Zwane
* Name as heard; not matched to exactly one councillor.
MMC or Mayor not present for their business 1
Transcript
213Every line, linked to the video.
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