Thembi Nkadimeng re-elected as Polokwane Executive Mayor

During a special council meeting held last Thursday, Thembi Nkadimeng was elected as Polokwane Executive Mayor for a second term of office after she was opposed by Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus Leader Frank Haas. Mariri Ralefatane was the only candidate for Speaker and was unanimously elected.
Nkadimeng thereafter took the oath of office before Leshwene Mashapu, Chief Magistrate of Polokwane.
Nkadimeng was nominated by African National Congress (ANC) PR councillor Motalane Monakedi and duly seconded. In a surprising move, Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Franco Marx nominated Haas and the nomination was also seconded. Newly elected Speaker Ralefatane ruled that a secret vote will be conducted after it was highlighted by Marx that the voting could not be by a show of hands. At this stage the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) indicated that they will not cast votes, but later decided to join in the voting process that was facilitated by officials of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Limpopo.

The final outcome of the vote was 50 votes in favour of Nkadimeng, with 38 votes for Haas. According to Marx, it appeared that the ten members of the DA, 26 from the EFF, one from the Congress of the People (Cope) and one of the Vryheidsfront Plus (VF Plus) voted in favour of Haas. “If only seven of the ANC members voted in favour of the DA candidate, the picture could have been quite different and it should be a warning to the ANC to attend meetings if they want to retain a majority,” Franco Marx, DA councillor remarked.
In her acceptance speech that was delivered after she was inaugurated, Nkadimeng thanked the voters of the city who cast their votes.
“We are humbled as this shows that as a country and a nation we subscribe to deepen democracy and participation in the governance system. Our achievements can never be measured by the quality of speeches we make, but by the vigour we put in our resolve to improve the lives of the masses that sent us here. I’m sure that this is not necessarily a moment to celebrate, but a moment to gather more strength and drive in preparation to continue in our journey to deliver on our mandate of a better life for all,” Nkadimeng said.
Nkadimeng urged all political parties in the house to come to terms with the fact that elections have been conducted and the people have spoken. “Now is the time to put our differences aside and work as a collective towards attaining our goal which is to accelerate service delivery and improve the conditions of our people. It is only befitting that we move forward united with a resolve to put the people first and build on the successes that the previous council built for us. This unity is based on the acknowledgement that local government is about the real issues that affect delivery, but not divisions fuelled for political gain. It is only when we are united that we can build on our strategies to propel this municipality forward,” Nkadimeng advised.
Nkadimeng also announced that Charles Molepo, William Kganyago, Francina Kubyana, Hafiz Shaikh and Reineth Setati will be full-time members of the Mayoral Committee for the Finance and Local Economic Development, Technical Services, Roads, Transport and Stormwater, Spatial and Land Use and Administration and Governance portfolios respectively. Jennefer Malope, Tshepo Nkwe, Steve Mashabela, Eunice Maraba and Josephine Maja will be part-time members of the Mayoral Committee for the Waste and Environment, Housing, Energy, Community Safety and Sports and Special Focus portfolios respectively.
Nkadimeng further welcomed the traditional leaders of Ga-Maraba, Ga-Matlala and Ga-Mashashane now also represented in the council after the incorporation of a portion of the former Aganang Municipality.
Nkadimeng thanked the business sector, the media, traditional leaders and all stakeholders for their support. “I am looking forward to a positive working relationship with all of you. Help us improve, keep us on our toes. Let us all take part in building our beautiful city,” Nkadimeng concluded.

Story and photos: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: Thembi Nkadimeng takes the oath of office before Leshwene Mashapu, Chief Magistrate of Polokwane.