Straight talk is how new Tzaneen mayor rolls

He told the Herald in an exclusive interview that the title of mayor does not impress him. He will only be happy if he can deliver services to residents, he said. His major focus will be providing basic services such as water, roads and electricity to the people of Tzaneen, he said. In his first 100 days of office he plans to meet with stakeholders that contribute to the region’s economy.

“I have already met with some labour unions who raised their concerns to me. “In the coming weeks I also plan to meet with the local farming community as agriculture is the municipality’s lifeblood,” he said. In his inauguration acceptance speech, he emphasised that the executive committee’s task is to work for the community and nothing else. He outlined that his strategy to attract investors to the municipality will be to deliver consistent basic services and building a good infrastructure as those give investors the assurance they can expect a good return on their investment.

Also read: New Greater Tzaneen Municipality Council sworn in

When asked how he plans to address the issue of youth unemployment, he said although he can’t guarantee an immediate solution, it is one of the responsiblities of the municipality to create jobs. He added that he will be meeting up with Collen Mkansi, GTM’s youth officer to ascertain the work that has been done during previous years and what the a way forward will be. He added that he will not tolerate corruption in his administration and will work with the SIU and the Hawks in fighting the social ill.

Molapisane spent 28 years of his life as an educator and eventually progressed to a principal position at Matokane High School. In 2015 he left Matokane High to join the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) as chief of staff in the office of the MEC.He served as chief of staff until 2016. In 2016 he became the director for research and policy coordination also at COGHSTA.

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His political career ranges from being a branch chairperson of the ANC Desmond Mahasha branch for three consecutive terms, to serving three terms as the chairperson of SADTU Motupa branch, to being the regional treasurer of the ANC Norman Mashabane region. He is currently the deputy chairperson of the ANC Norman Mashabane branch. He grew up in Relela village and has two daughters and one grandchild. When he is not working, he likes to read or watch soccer. He says he is a die hard Kaizer Chiefs fan. Molapisane invited the Herald to revisit after 100 days in office to see if he indeed implemented what he set out to do – something the Herald will definitely take him up on!