The first black female Mayor of Reading has reflected on her year, giving a powerful speech about supporting refugees.
Councillor Alice Mpofu-Coles (Labour, Whitley) served as the Mayor of Reading for 2025/26, a year that has seen her attend more than 250 community events.
At the annual meeting of Reading Borough Council, she passed the ceremonial mayoral mace to cllr Paul Gittings (Labour, Coley).
Cllr Mpofu-Coles was given the opportunity to make a speech reflecting on the year.
Firstly, she thanked “Almighty God” for guiding her and her daughters.
She said: “We call ourselves the Three Musketeers. I’m ever indebted to you and this town. It’s an amazing place to live.
Cllr Mpofu-Coles expressed alarm about divisive rhetoric, particularly against refugees and asylum seekers.
She said: “You can choose kindness and refuse hate. You can choose unity and refuse division.”
Cllr Mpofu-Coles mentioned the divide and rule mantra _rhetoric_ arrived in Reading in the 2000s after fleeing from her native Zimbabwe.
She said: “I am a Whitley girl, because this is my home now.
“You can choose not to look at someone’s agenda and choose empathy.”
Cllr Mpofu-Coles also highlighted the support provided to her chosen charities, the Utilivu Women’s Group, which supports refugees, and Readifood.
She said: “There is war all over the world at the moment, I say, if you don’t want refugees, don’t have wars. Who seeks to be a refugee? Readifood feeds refugees.”
Mention was made of her attendance at 270 events in the year, including schools.
Cllr Mpofu-Coles said: “Children remember everything about my hair! The Mayoralty is not in abstract, it’s about making people feel special. It is the first citizen of the town, to represent every individual. I chose to bring the office of Mayor to the grassroots. Thank you for the support.”
Prior to her speech, a message of thanks was given by her ward colleagues.
Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley), the deputy leader of the council, began his speech by mentioning the importance of climate resilience in upgrades to the council’s assets, including the Town Hall, stating the Labour council “walks the walk.”
Thanking cllr Mpofu-Coles, he said: “Her lived experience has enabled her to be a listening mayor. She’s highlighted health inequalities and gender based violence. Alice is of the people for the people.”
Cllr Rachel Eden (Labour, Whitley) said: “We’ve seen first hand her commitment to our ward [Whitley], even before she was elected. That approach has carried forward to her mayoral year.
“She’s highlighted Violence Against Women and Girls. Alice has made an effort to connect with all residents.”
The speeches were given at the annual meeting yesterday (Wednesday, May 27).
