Clean audit now top priority for Ndalane

Newly appointed MEC for Transport and Community Safety Nandi Ndalane said her top priority is to ensure that the department, which attained unqualified audit opinions with findings by the Auditor-General for the last three years, attain a clean audit.
“I’m confident that this is attainable. I have met with accounting officers and the executive management of both departments and I am of the firm view that working together we should be able to attain a clean audit.”
She said it is still premature to detail the challenges facing the departments. “However we will engage in extra effort to deliver on our mandate. As a ministry we shall provide some urgency in dealing with matters within our responsibility. As a member of Executive Council I shall make sure that the morale of our officials is high, as that will ensure that we are able to deliver sustainable services.” She lauded the foundation laid by her predecessor, Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana.
Ndalane said the department will work tirelessly with the Police and all stakeholders to reduce crime and ensure safer communities.
“The carnage on our roads remains a huge concern. We shall strengthen law enforcement and road safety education to ensure safer roads. We remain confident that this ministry will improve the lives of our people by delivering on our mandate.”
After school the young Nda­­lane did not have money to further her studies and joined an non-governmental organisation called Akanani, a progressive NGO in the area of education and community development.
While working there she met political luminaries such as Rashaka Ratshitanga, Mothupi Pharepahare, Thabo Makunyane, Brian Molefe, Jerry Ndou, Dewet Monakedi, Joe Mathebula and many others.
During the first democratic elections in 1994, she served as a party agent for the ANC. Her political star rose as she was later elected a councilor in the Vuwani Hlanganani Transitional Local Council (TLC).
Hard work and determination saw her rising in ANC circles until she became deputy chairperson of the Vhembe region and later treasurer.
She entered parliamentary politics in 1999 when she became a member of the Legislature and served in various committees including being Chairperson of the Sport, Arts and Culture Committee leading to Premier Stan Mathabatha appointing her to lead the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. She was redeployed to her new position two weeks ago.

Story: NELIE ERASMUS
>>nelie.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: Nandi Ndakane, MEC for Department of Transport and Community Safety.