Thapelo Amad

Amad was born in Soweto in present-day Gauteng. He holds a degree in Islamic Sciences and a NQF Level 4 qualification in entrepreneurship and a NQF Level 5 qualification in gender mainstreaming in the public service, which he obtained through the National School of Government.

He is a fellow of the ASRI Future Leaders program. At present, he is studying for a certificate of competence through the South African Local Government Association. He is also an imam.{{Cite web |last=Masilela |first=Brenda |title=Who is Thapelo Amad, Al Jamah's ANC-backed candidate to become the next Joburg mayor |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/who-is-thapelo-amad-al-jamahs-anc-backed-candidate-to-become-the-next-joburg-mayor-5492c04c-1685-4996-a9e8-df5ccb1a5e6d |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=www.iol.co.za |language=en}}

Amad is a Johannesburg city councillor and the provincial chairperson of Al Jama-ah. In October 2022, he served as the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Development Planning in the short-lived administration of former ANC mayor Dada Morero.

After Mpho Phalatse was voted out as mayor in a motion of no confidence on 26 January 2023, it was revealed that Amad would likely succeed her, since he was supported by the African National Congress (ANC), the largest party in council and its coalition partners. The ANC said in a statement that Amad would serve as an interim mayor until the party finalises a coalition agreement with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the kingmakers in council.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-27 |title=Al Jamah's Thapelo Amad touted to be Joburg's new mayor |url=https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/al-jamahs-thapelo-amad-touted-to-be-joburgs-new-mayor/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=SABC News |language=en-US}}

During the council meeting the following day, Amad, Phalatse and ActionSA's Funzi Ngobeni was nominated for mayor. Amad was elected mayor by 138 votes, compared to Phalatse's 81 votes and Ngobeni's 46 votes.{{Cite web |last=Ramushwana |first=Alpha |title=Al Jama-ah's Thapelo Amad is Johannesburg's new mayor |url=https://ewn.co.za/2023/01/27/al-jama-ah-s-thapelo-amad-is-johannesburg-s-new-mayor |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=ewn.co.za |language=en}}

On 2 February 2023, Amad announced to the members of his mayoral committee. The committee consisted of five ANC councillors, and a single councilor each from the EFF, the African Transformation Movement, and the Patriotic Alliance.{{Cite web |last=Ramushwana |first=Alpha |date=2023-02-02 |title=Joburg Mayor Thapelo Amad announces members of mayoral committee |url=https://ewn.co.za/2023/02/02/joburg-mayor-thapelo-amad-announces-members-of-mayoral-committee |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=EWN |language=en}}

Amad resigned as mayor on 24 April 2023, a day before a motion of no confidence was to be held against him.{{Cite web |last=Madia |first=Tshidi |title=Thapelo Amad steps down as Joburg Mayor |url=https://ewn.co.za/2023/04/24/thapelo-amad-steps-down-as-joburg-mayor |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=ewn.co.za |language=en}} He was succeeded by fellow Al Jama-ah councillor Kabelo Gwamanda as mayor.{{Cite web |last=Mbolekwa |first=Sisanda |title=Kabelo Gwamanda elected Johannesburg mayor |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2023-05-05-kabelo-gwamanda-is-the-newly-elected-joburg-executive-mayor/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}

On 21 November 2023, Amad posted a picture of him holding an assault rifle to his X account with the caption: "We stand with Hamas, Hamas stands with us, together we Palestin [sic] and Palestin [sic] will be free. With our souls, with our blood, we will conquer Al AQSA." He later removed the post.{{Cite web |title=Ex-Joburg mayor comes out guns blazing to defend Hamas support post while wielding a rifle |url=https://www.polity.org.za/article/ex-joburg-mayor-comes-out-guns-blazing-to-defend-hamas-support-post-while-wielding-a-rifle-2023-11-21 |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=www.polity.org.za |language=en}} Amad's posts were widely condemned on social media. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies condemned Amad's posts, calling them "reprehensible".{{cite news |last1=Manjeya |first1=Yamkeleka |title=SA Jewish Board up in arms over former Joburg mayor Thapelo Amad's 'reprehensible' pro-Hamas posts |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/sa-jewish-board-up-in-arms-over-former-joburg-mayor-thapelo-amads-reprehensible-pro-hamas-posts-20231122 |access-date=11 January 2024 |work=News24 |date=2023-11-22}} The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the post "pure antisemitism of the worst kind."{{cite news |last1=Lidor |first1=Canaan |title=Ex-mayor of Johannesburg posts photos holding rifle, praising Hamas |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ex-mayor-of-johannesburg-posts-photos-holding-rifle-praising-hamas/ |access-date=11 January 2024 |work=Times of Israel |date=2023-11-22}}

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{{Mayors of Johannesburg}}

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Category:Living people

Category:People from Soweto

Category:Al Jama-ah politicians

Category:21st-century South African politicians

Category:Mayors of Johannesburg

Category:Mayors of places in South Africa

Category:South African Muslims

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)