The new governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Lesetja Kganyago (49) hails from Moletjie near Polokwane.
Kganyago was appointed to succeed Gill Marcus as governor of the SARB by president Jacob Zuma on Monday.
He has been a deputy governor of the SARB for the past three years and will officially take over on November 9.
He is also a former director-general of the national department of finance.
Evans Nkoana, a young man who lives in Ga-Setati, Moletjie said he was happy with the appointment of a local man as governor of the SARB.
“We feel represented and the poor village of Moletjie is now on the map of intellectuals,” Nkoana said.
The Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (Prisa) in Limpopo welcomed Kganyago’s appointment. Prisa Limpopo secretary, Malesela Maubane, said they believed that the president had made a good decision.
“We further agree with president Zuma when he says he appointed Kganyago as deputy governor of the Reserve Bank in 2001, which should enable a smooth transition to his new position as he is already part of the team.
“Prisa has represented the interests of public relations and communication management professionals for the past 57 years.
“We wish him well in his new job as he leads the SARB in protecting the value of the currency in the interest of ba-lanced and sustainable economic growth in South Africa,” he said
Capricorn mayor, Gilbert Kganyago, also extended his congratulations on the appointment, saying Lesetja Kgan-yago had a sterling record in financial markets and enjoyed widespread respect during his long tenure as director-general of finance, and other leadership positions he held in the past.
“With his wealth of experience in bank supervision, overseeing exchange control regulation, risk and compliance, we are confident that he is equal to the task; and there is no doubt that he has the requisite expertise to perform in the midst of any challenging economic factors and ensure financial stability and bolster investor confidence.
“Not only has his appointment made the country and his family proud, but it has filled Aganang, the Capricorn District Municipality and Limpopo with pride and delight.
“The Capricorn District Municipality wishes our son of the soil all the best in his new position,” the mayor said.
