HOEDSPRUIT: From waitress to mayor
The ANC Youth League regional treasurer, Happy Dipuo Thobejane was inaugurated as the new Mayor of Maruleng Municipality.
The former student activist, Thobejane (31) from The Oaks Village replaces Pule Mafologela of the rural municipality.
After matriculating at the local Maahlamele High School, Thobejane successfully completed studies in Leadership Development, Project Management, Community Development, Local Government Administration and Criminal Justice at various institutions of higher learning.
She worked as a Community Liaison Officer, Grade R Teacher and waitress before her appointment as the Mayor following the August 3 local government elections.
Meanwhile, erstwhile councillor, Peter Matlou has been appointed the Mayor of Greater Letaba Municipality succeeding City Modjadji.
The former speaker of the Greater Giyani Municipality, Sasavona Mathebula is the new Mayor succeeding Pat Hlungani while ANC regional spokesperson, Pule Shayi replaces, Anna Sono as the Mayor of Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality.
The appointments of the four mayors followed the naming of Maripe Mangena as the Mayor of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality and the re-appointment of Nkakareng Rakgoale as the Executive Mayor of Mopani District Municipality by the national office of the ruling party.
The appointed mayors were this week due to be formally elected and inaugurated during the first council sittings of their respective municipalities at the time of going to press
The ANC instructed all the appointed mayors and elected councillors to sacrifice the best of their energies in being humble servants to their communities. “We need them to consult more with the communities and give feedback on all matters of development to our people.
Our deployees are well aware of the challenges ahead.
They know that the work ahead requires men and women who are committed and will spare no effort in the service of our people,” said ANC provincial Secretary, Nocks Seabi. Seabi called on the communities to continue working with the ANC representatives in government to achieve a better life for all. “It is not going to be business as usual, we are going to step up the gear in order to improve the lives of our people,” added Seabi.
