5 things you did not know about Polokwane’s executive mayor
Polokwane’s mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng, has been in office for 100 days now and Review asked her a few questions to get to know the person behind the mayor’s desk a little better.
What is your favourite food?
“That question is so easy that it is difficult to answer. Can I name three? Oysters and seafood must be on the list, secondly tripe has to be there and then I also like samp and beans.”
What do you do to relax when you are not hard at work? Do you compete in any sport or have hobbies?
“Reading is not a sport, but it is my sport. It is what I do most when I am not hard at work.
When it comes to sport, I would love to be a bicyclist. I am just a bit afraid. I just love the thrill, the spirit, the camaraderie and the adventure. I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie and I have gone bungee jumping before.
“Actually no sports team ever wanted me, even as a child. I am not sporty at all,” she says laughing.
“I like reading; it is a really big part of my life. I love books, but I especially enjoy reading about policy. In fact, before I enter any discussion, I want to know the policy behind it. Because I studied policy studies, I know it is policy that informs how the country must be run.
“I have that experience and I read up on it for myself. It is intense reading that I usually do in the early hours of the morning.”
Tell us about a typical day in the life of the mayor.
“I go to sleep early in the evenings and get up at about 01:00 for some reading and preparation and go back to sleep at about 03:00 or 04:00.
“I get up at again at 06:00 and I am usually in the office by 07:00 or 07:30. I take official appointments at about 09:00. The time between 07:00 and 09:00 is for planning and recapping on what was achieved the previous day. If there are any emergencies or urgent matters I can also slot them into those two hours and have a discussion,” she explains.
“Then I begin with my normal diarised day, which lasts until about 19:00 in the evening if I don’t have any functions or evening activities then I go home at 19:00. Ordinarily, I go home at about 22:00.”
That is a hectic schedule. Do you have any children?
“I have four beautiful children. My two daughters are 18 and 14 years old and my beloved sons are 11 and seven years old. I adore all of them. They are the reason why I am here. I am still a mum as well and they complain sometimes that I am no longer available to go to the movies with them to see the new Spiderman movie, but I try. One has to maintain balance,” Nkadimeng says.
Lastly, what is your favourite colour?
“My favourite colour is bottle green, it is a colour that I grew up with and I liked it since I was young.
