Sipho Ngwenya
Encyclopedia
Sipho Ngwenya was the first democratically elected mayor of the Greater city of Durban
. He was the first black mayor of the city post Apartheid era of South Africa. Durban, South Africa's third largest city, saw a number of name changes from Greater City of Durban to Durban UniCity before the current and final, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
Sipho Ngwenya was a member of Inkatha Freedom Party
when he was elected as mayor, he was the first citizen of Durban
for 2 of the first 5 year democratic term. During South Africa's first democratic elections of 1994, the province of KwaZulu-Natal
was won by Inkatha Freedom Party
. in the year 1996, the Greater City of Durban was restructured to form the Durban UniCity where an African National Congress
1994 mayoral candidate Obed Mlaba
was then appointed the mayor.
In the year 2003, a constitutional amendment by the South African parliament called Floor crossing (South Africa)
was passed.Sipho Ngwenya was one of the first high profile politicians who utilized this bill and crossed from Inkatha Freedom Party
to the African National Congress
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. He was the first black mayor of the city post Apartheid era of South Africa. Durban, South Africa's third largest city, saw a number of name changes from Greater City of Durban to Durban UniCity before the current and final, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
Sipho Ngwenya was a member of Inkatha Freedom Party
Inkatha Freedom Party
The Inkatha Freedom Party is a political party in South Africa. Since its founding, it has been led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. It is currently the fourth largest party in the National Assembly of South Africa.-History:...
when he was elected as mayor, he was the first citizen of Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
for 2 of the first 5 year democratic term. During South Africa's first democratic elections of 1994, the province of KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
was won by Inkatha Freedom Party
Inkatha Freedom Party
The Inkatha Freedom Party is a political party in South Africa. Since its founding, it has been led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. It is currently the fourth largest party in the National Assembly of South Africa.-History:...
. in the year 1996, the Greater City of Durban was restructured to form the Durban UniCity where an African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
1994 mayoral candidate Obed Mlaba
Obed Mlaba
Obed Mlaba is the former mayor of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, which includes Durban, the third most populous city in South Africa....
was then appointed the mayor.
In the year 2003, a constitutional amendment by the South African parliament called Floor crossing (South Africa)
Floor crossing (South Africa)
Floor crossing in South Africa was a controversial system under which Members of Parliament, Members of Provincial Legislatures and Local Government councillors could change political party and take their seats with them when they did so...
was passed.Sipho Ngwenya was one of the first high profile politicians who utilized this bill and crossed from Inkatha Freedom Party
Inkatha Freedom Party
The Inkatha Freedom Party is a political party in South Africa. Since its founding, it has been led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. It is currently the fourth largest party in the National Assembly of South Africa.-History:...
to the African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...