By Sibusiso Mboto and Wendy Da Costa
Almost 35 years after his father was appointed mayor of Msunduzi, the ANC's Mike Tarr took over the hot seat on Thursday following several days of speculation about the post.
His appointment came after the provincial government placed the municipality under the administration of Johann Mettler as service delivery and local economic development was on the brink of collapse due to maladministration.
Tarr, who vividly recalls the days when his father, Ashton Tarr, was the mayor of Pietermaritzburg said it was "quite an honour" but there were several challenges ahead of him and the rest of the newly elected team.
"We are going to be absolutely transparent, no more closed meetings... everything will be absolutely according to the letter," said Tarr.
On Thursday the ANC unveiled a fully representative team appealing to all constituencies in the capital city and expressed its confidence that the newly appointed leadership would be able to return it to its "former glory".
With minorities well-represented by election of Tarr as mayor and Babu Baijoo as speaker, several women were also included in the executive committee. In addition Baijoo also has strong business links as president of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI).
Although he was chosen in absentia Baijoo told The Mercury that he was "humbled" by the trust placed in him and would now have to consult with the board of the SACCI to grant him leave from the chamber's activities while he prioritised his activities.
"I want to avoid any potential conflicts that might arise relating to these positions."
Jabu Nguba, an ANC activist and educator hailed for her extensive grassroots work was chosen as the deputy mayor.
Shortly after her election she said she had butterflies in her stomach because it was a "daunting task" after coming from a classroom. Nguba said teamwork was the answer to the capital's woes.
On Thursday Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube warned that although a new team with diverse expertise was now in place, change would not be a "quick process".
She said the team had a fair amount of diversity experience in many levels of governance - all factors that would be important in guiding the fortunes of the municipality.
"This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the municipality and there is a breath of fresh air with this team and we are quite optimistic that they will ensure that the council returns to being the city of choice," said Dube.
The appointment of the new team followed intense one-on-one interviews conducted by the provincial leadership, an exercise which was aimed at determining the right candidates to assume the leadership role in the municipality.
However, both Dube and the ANC would not say what would happen to three senior councillors who had been axed.
Former mayor Zanele Hlatshwayo, her deputy Mervin Dirks and another exco member and Themba Zungu were given the boot for the municipality's poor performance.
Asked whether the alliance partners had been happy with the appointments, ANC treasurer Peggy Nkonyeni told The Mercury that everyone had been given a chance to express their views.
"The deployment committee is made up of alliance partners so the partners take as much ownership of the new leadership as the ANC," she said.
Alliance sources expressed disappointment as they had reportedly aimed for the Speaker's position.
On Thursday ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala defended their decision to retain two of the councillors, Tholakele Dlamini and Gerrit Meyer, saying there was a need to ensure continuity in the council.
"In as much as you want to effect change, there is always a need to retain institutional memory," Zikalala said.