Zomba elects female mayor
The Zomba City Council (ZCC) yesterday elected Joana Ntaja as mayor during the council’s first full meeting held at the Civic Offices Chamber.
The 30-year-old Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) councillor for Zomba Central Ward amassed six votes whereas rival contestant from the People’s Party (PP) Christopher Jana collected three votes.
Two other contestants, Chikhulupiliro Jimu and Daveson Namonde, got one vote each.
United Democratic Front (UDF) councillor Davie Maunde was elected deputy mayor after outclassing two other contestants with six votes.
Jimu and Namonde who also vied for the position got one and four votes, respectively.
Ntaja, who is a holder of an advanced diploma in business management, becomes the sixth mayor for the city and the first female in its history.
Ten councillors and parliamentarian for Zomba City Central Patricia Kainga Nangozo voted during the exercise.
There was jubilation from DPP followers outside the council offices moments after presiding officer ZCC chief executive Ali Phiri announced the results.
In her acceptance speech, Ntaja admitted the challenge and demanding responsibility of her new position.
“The city has so many challenges, but looking at the crop of councillors that we have and the management team, I have confidence that together we will deliver,” she said.
She promised to exercise prudence in handling public finances and awarding of contracts in line with the laid-down procedures.
“I will also prioritise the issue of security in the city as the only way to woo investors who will, in turn, create wealth and job opportunities,” she said.
