I have never been one to find significance in reflecting anyone’s 100 days in office because I see it as a hyperbolic excuse for people to toast and get tipsy. It’s against this background that MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in Limpopo, Onicca Moloi, celebrated 100 days in office on the same day the 2017 school academic year started last week. If there’s anything I have to say to her it’s keep the ball rolling but you are only human – take it easy and rest when you can – there can only be one Chuck Norris.
MEC Moloi turns 37 on 28 July this year and it is her youthfulness and exuberance that have seen her hold her own since her appointment. So MEC Moloi becomes the 10th office bearer and youngest ever of this department since the dawn of democracy.
Let me take the uninitiated down memory lane. It all started with Elias Nong, who held office for less than 4 months when the department of sport fell under the Office of the Premier. In all fairness there’s nothing to write home about regarding his tenure.
In came Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, who literally initiated the idea of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to be a stand-alone when it had been moved from the Office of the Premier and now fell under the Department of Education – 1994 and 1997. The good doctor can also be credited with initiating the provincial sports gala.
Another medico, Dr Joe Phaahla, who spearheaded the transformation of professional boxing in South Africa which saw the annulment of the Boxing and Wrestling Control Act of 1954, would become the then Northern Province’s next MEC for Sport. It was little wonder when he was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Sports Commission in 2000 and Director-General in the Department of Sport and Recreation, responsible for organising the 2010 FIFA World Cup until 10 May 2009.
This brain drain created an opportunity for the first female MEC to occupy this office when struggle stalwart Mme Joyce Mashamba – a woman I know and hold in high esteem – took over the reins. Mme Mashamba would best be remembered for leaving the Mapungubwe Festival legacy which all along had been known as the Melting Pot.
Another female MEC came in the mould of Mme Machwene Rosina Semenya, who would become the last executive under the provincial leadership of Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi. She will best be remembered as the leader who was instrumental in having the Pietersburg Rugby Stadium renamed the Peter Mokaba stadium. Then Joe Maswanganye took over and he will be credited with reinforcing the participation of the province in the SA Games, as well as strengthening the Limpopo Sports Council. Mme Mashamba would return to be the last Sport MEC under Premier Sello Moloto. Imbizos, mass participation and the building and strengthening of federations would become the hallmark of her second term.
Cassel Mathale became Premier and brought in Mme Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, then nurse-by-profession, Merriam Ramadwa, before the Elim-born Nandi Ndalane came into the picture.
MEC Moloi is still young, is a good listener, is hands-on, is an excellent participant, has the right energy levels and no doubt is full of decent ideas to take the department to unprecedented heights, but she needs a strong team to help her realise those ideals. It’s early days and she will find her footing.
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