Oxford’s first black lord mayor shares hopes for year

Taking up his ceremonial post on Wednesday, May 20, the Labour city councillor for Quarry and Risinghurst shared his hopes for his year as mayor.

He was watched by a packed assembly room at town hall, filled not only with councillors and freemen, but with members of the public, supporters, and members of Mr Munkonge’s family, who jostled to watch the mayor making elbow to elbow, lining the room.

He recognised the significance of the moment, stating: “Today is history, but history is not enough – what matters is what we do with it.”

The mayor making ceremony (Image: Isabella Harris/NQ)

Lord Mayor Chewe Munkonge speaks at the mayor making (Image: Ed Nix)

Mr Munkonge shared his ambitions for 2026/27, saying: “I hope it will be remembered because I served with humanity, because I brought people together, because I represented this city with pride, and because I gave everything I could to the city that has given so much to me and my family.”

Mr Munkonge dedicated the honour of receiving the role to his mother, who died in 2018.

He said: “If someone had told that young teenage mother in a small African village that one day her son would become the lord mayor of Oxford, one of the most historical and internationally respected cities in the world, she simply would not have believed it.

“And yet, here we are.”

Lord Mayor Chewe Munkonge at the mayor making (Image: Ed Nix)

He reflected on his schooldays in Zambia, saying he “sat on a rock to learn” adding that his journey is a “reminder that hope matters” and “no matter where you come from, what your background is, or what obstacles stand in your way, your dreams are actually valid”.

Mr Munkonge cited inspiration from Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama.

He said: “Their journey reminds people like me that leadership can come from anywhere.

He added: “I hope this moment sends a message to every child in our city, especially those from backgrounds that may feel overlooked or underrepresented, that they too belong, they too can succeed, and they too can lead”.

Mr Munkonge also thanked the people of his ward who first elected him in 2014 for their continued “trust and confidence”.

Lord Mayor Chewe Munkonge (Image: Ed Nix)

Lord Mayor Chewe Munkonge with his wife (Image: Ed Nix)

He has lived in Risinghurst for many years, having moved to the UK in 2003 and then to Oxford to be closer to his wife in 2008.

The mayor holds an MBA from Oxford Brookes University, graduating in 2012, and works as a central admin officer for an Oxford-based charity.

As lord mayor, he will likely attend more than 300 engagements, including memorials and community meetings.

Part of the post is to raise money for charity – Mr Munkonge’s chosen causes are Sobell House and St Theresa.