A ‘cool’ doctor takes charge at UDM
I get angry when I see people not doing the work they are paid to do.
Dr Elliot Michael Sibusiso Ntombela has been appointed new municipal manager at the much-troubled Umzinyathi District Municipality.This follows the resignation of the previous manager, Mdu Mngomezulu, who was allegedly charged with corruption.
Dr Ntombela told the Courier he was born in Richards Bay and as a young boy looked after cattle. He is married and blessed with four children, three boys and one girl. He is also ‘allergic to alcohol and smoking’. He completed his primary education at Umlalazi Primary School in Eshowe and Khethekhetheni, a farm school, in Melmoth. He completed his secondary education in Kwa-Magwaza, also a farm school, in Melmoth, and Ubambiswano High School in Eshowe.
He has a Doctor of Administration obtained at the University of KwaZulu Natal, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) obtained at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University in the United Kingdom, a Master of Education (MEd) obtained at the University of the Free State and a Bachelor of Education (BEd) from the University of Zululand.
He also has a diploma in finance for non-financial managers in Durban. He has so many diplomas and certificates that his CV is about 20 pages long. He has been made aware of problems that are being encountered at the Umzinyathi district, including the failure to elect a new mayor since Rev James Mthethwa resigned (and who is now appointed as a member of National Council of Provinces).
He is also aware of the two employees who were fired and have appealed their cases, the municipal vehicles that were allegedly abused by officials to take their children to school and of the number of bodyguards used to guard Mayor Mthethwa and other officials. “The issue of an official who allegedly claimed R30 000 for overtime will be investigated,” he promised.
Dr Ntombela resigned from Mtubatuba municipality after being hired by the Umzinyathi District Council. He said, during the time he was a manager at Mtubatuba municipality, he turned things around and was instrumental in the council receiving an unqualified audit’.
Dr Ntombela likes to go to church and play gospel music. “I am a cool administrator but I get angry when I see people not doing the work they are paid to do.”
