Councillor Xaba is the Mayor of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, a role he assumed in July 2024 following a distinguished and longstanding career in public service.

His political journey began at a young age, shaped by his upbringing in Clermont and a strong foundation in community activism during South Africa’s struggle for freedom. Since then, he has served in various leadership roles across all spheres of government.

Following the 1994 democratic elections, he was deployed to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature, where he chaired several portfolio committees, including Public Works, Finance, and Economic Development, and served as Chief Whip. He later held key positions such as Special Advisor to the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal and Chairperson of the Provincial Planning Commission.

Councillor Xaba also served as MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, and at the national level as a Member of Parliament, where he chaired the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans and co-chaired the Joint Standing Committee on Defence. In 2023, he was appointed Chairperson of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Sub-Committee of the ANC NEC, as well as Chairperson of the National Dispute Resolution Committee.

He holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and has participated in various international study tours, contributing to his global perspective on governance and development.