 | Mayor calls for a fight against abuse By Neville Ndlala & Vutivi Makhubele The Mayor of Greater Tzaneen Municipality Maripe Mangena urged men to take a stand against women and child abuse during an anti-gender violence held in Tzaneen on 2 June in Tzaneen. Mangena alongside with Municipal Speaker Councillor Dikeledi Mmetle led the march from the civic centre through the streets of the CBD. The two leaders were joined by municipal employees, councillors and ordinary residents as well as members of various community structures such as the Men’s forum, GTM Youth Council, ward committees, labour unions, FAMSA, Tzaneen LGBT community, ANC women’s league, and the business fraternity. Councillor Cassius Machimana, the head of special programmes in the municipality and chairperson for the Men’s Forum said that the killing of Karabo Mokoena, Courtney Pierters and River Steenkamp in the hands of people they trusted was evidence that domestic violence affected everyone. He said statistics show that a woman is killed every six hours in the country. He said as men they are saying that the carnage has to come to a stop. Machimana called on men to take a lead in the protection of women’s rights. Eric Mabunda, a peer educator at FAMSA who is gay said that they joined the march to highlight the plight of the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT) community. He said there was still hate crime against LGBTs in Tzaneen. He said it was hard for them to live freely in society because there is intolerance against gays and lesbians. Jamaica Letsoalo also gay said that they wanted to land a hand in the fight against violence on women. He said that he is a victim of hate crime “I’m a victim of hate crime, I was gay-bashed by four guys and I’m partially impaired”. The march was aimed at shinning a spotlight on women and child abuse. “This initiative is meant to educate men about abuse and to show that not all men are abusers and those are men who fight to stop the abuse of women. Participants in the march carried placards some reading “Children deserve to be happy, healthy and safe” and “Marriage is about love not gender” In a memorandum handed over to the South African Police Services (SAPS), the marchers pleaded with the SAPS to prioritise cases of abuse, they also called on the NPA to call for longer sentences to abusers. It was also mentioned in the memorandum that Street Committees, Community Policing Forums and Community Safety Forums should be active and assist in fighting crimes in communities. In wrapping up the march, the mayor said “We have had enough of abuse and we cannot tolerate it any longer than we have”. Mangena said “As long as there are more people in the community than offenders, we can fight them and defeat them if we unite against crime.”
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 | GTM brainstorm Crime fighting ideas
The Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM), hosted a Safety and Security Colloquium at Hotel@Tzaneen on 31 May 2017. Speaking at the Colloquium Obby Mkhombo, Director of Community Services said that the colloquium was organised to share information and ideas in relation to safety and security matters. He said the gathering will also discuss ways to address crime affecting GTM residents and visitors. Addressing the colloquium Major Gen Maggy Mathebula, Tzaneen Cluster Commander said that rape, attempted murder, car-jacking, business and house robberies are some of the crimes that are problematic within the GTM area. The general called on members of the community to provide information to the police to help fight crime. She said that people needed to stop protecting criminals is this renders the SAPS less effecting in combating crime. Other speakers included Professor Kholofelo Mothibi, from the University of Venda. The professor presented on various safety and security issues the community.
GTM Mayor Maripe Mangena sent out a message to criminals to find a new hiding place because he said that the government, police and other stakeholders are working together to reduce crime in Tzaneen. The Colloquium said that the provision of information and feedback to the community will prevent unnecessary and unlawful protests. Another suggestion was the service awareness or civic education campaigns. They said this will assist ordinary community members understand on how governmental projects are run. The colloquium was attended by stakeholders such as Councillors, Ward Committee members, SAPS, the business sector, religious community, and traditional leaders, Community Policing Forum, National Prosecuting Authority and Community Safety Forum. read more |
 | GTM BIDS FAREWELL TO MUNICIPAL MANAGER 11 April 2017: Councilors and directors hosted a farewell dinner at Sima Silver Lodge for the outgoing municipal manager, Republic Monakedi who is joining Mopani District Municipality as a Municipal Manager from the 1st of May. Speaking at the farewell Mayor Maripe Mangena thanked all political leaders for the achievements that were made in Monakedi's presence. He said the transition from former Mayor Dikeledi Mmetle the current speaker of council to himself was smooth. The mayor said "Some of us completely did not want him, but he proved us wrong when he arrived here". He described Monakedi as dynamic and versatile" Mangena said that they learnt not to personalize municipal issues from him and it's a lesson he felt that all must take. "What I like about the MM, is that with him you are never at conflict, he has conflict resolution skills. Council is at peace because of him. He is humble because even with his provincial responsibilities he never undermined Councillors." Said Mangena Dikeledi Mmetle who was Mayor when Monakedi joined the municipality said that Monakedi brought stability and now leaves the municipality with a good legacy. "We struggled with audit and with your team you brought us the unqualified audit which we struggled to achieve for many years" said the Speaker. Benjamin Mathebula, who is the Director for a Planning and Economic Development and the incoming acting municipal manager said that upon hearing the news of Monakedi's imminent departure "they" hoped that it was not true that he was leaving but it started to sink when council confirmed his exit. "We wanted to build from the "unqualified audit", but we are happy he is still a resident of Tzaneen and we want to wish him well where he is going." Said Mathebula. Mathebula said that Monakedi had his own way of dealing with conflict among directors. He also said that he was happy that the transition from Monakedi to himself is smooth. He promised councillors that there will be no hiccup when Monakedi leaves on the 18th of May, "We are making decisions together" said Mathebula. Mr Maake representing the traditional authorities said that Traditional Authorities were not happy about Monakedi's departure but he has a new responsibility and they wished him good luck in his new job. In his response Monakedi said "I feel so humble by all of this. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity that the council of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality has given me". He thanked the former Mayor and the current Mayor who he said were excellent supervisors. "I benefited a lot from both mayors" He said. "All directors have contributed immensely, i'm a different person from what I was when I arrived here' despite me being their supervisor I also learnt much from them" He said that the political support made his job smooth and easier. "There are other capable administrators who fail due to the absence political support". "We received the highest MIG amount in the whole country due to our spending." Monakedi said that when asked about his achievements in the interview for his new job all of the achievements he cited were with the Greater Tzaneen Municipality.
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| COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS The Council of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality has appointed Mr Benjamin Mathebula as the Acting Municipal Manager for a period not exceeding three months. This is due to the resignation of Republic Monakedi who is joining Mopani District Municipality as the Municipal Manager. Monakedi's Resignation earlier accepted by Council. Sam Lelope has been appointed Director for Electrical Engineering. The position has been vacant since the departure of long serving director, Pierre van den Heever who joined Witzenburg Municipality in the Western Cape. Council has also agreed to settle with Ms Dikeledi Malatji the Director for Engineering Services. Council also approved recommendations by the Municipal Public Accounts Committee, and has instructed that the committee reports in the next council. Council has also approved a draft budget of R1, 225 billion for the 2017/2018 Financial Year. This is an increase of R60.2 million. The budget will be taken to communities for inputs and buy-in. The public participation programme will be release soon to give residents an opportunity to participate. Council also approved the extension of Telkom Mobile Contract to supply tablets and laptops as well as data for all Councillors and Traditional Authority representatives. read more |
 | MAYOR HONOURS THE CLASS OF 2016 Mayor Maripe Mangena yesterday (Wednesday, 12 April 2017) honoured learners, educators, schools and circuit managers during the Mayor’s Excellence Awards held at Hotel@Tzaneen. Mangena said that he believed that “awarding excellence will go a long way in motivating”. He reminded teachers, parents, learners, government and business to “prioritize the improvement of the entire public schooling and matric result in particular.” Mangena quoted Oliver Tambo who he said was a Physical Science and Mathematics teacher’s “a country that does not take care of its youth does not deserve its future”. Mangena honoured the best learner in each of the ten circuits under the Greater Tzaneen Municipality. The Mayor also gave an award of “the Best Performing Learner per circuit from an Independent Schools which went to Cindy Mabuza (94%) from St George College in the Nkowankowa Circuit.
He also bestowed honours on educators from ordinary public schools who achieved 100% pass rate in Accounting, Mathematics and Physical Science. Shiluvane Circuit and Khujwana Circuit were honoured for being the most improved circuits. Shiluvane Circuit went from 74.4% in 2015 to 74.9% in 2016 and Khujwana Circuit was at 64.5% in 2015 and at 70% in 2016.
Nkowankowa Circuit won the category of the Best Circuit based on enrolment of 500 and above. The circuit had 1045 learners participating in the 2016 matric examination and 797 of them passed which is a 74.9% pass rate.
In his address Mangena said that the municipality assisted 110 students register in institutions of higher learning through the Mayor’s Student Financial Aid Scheme (MSFAS). Out of the 11 winning learners four benefited from MSFAS. He said the municipality planned to budget R1 million rand to assist students in 2018. The ceremony was attended by councillors, Traditional leaders, circuit managers, labour unions (SADTU and NACTU) and student movement leaders. Also present was Member of provincial legislature, Dan Sebabi who is also the Chair of Chairpersons at the Limpopo provincial legislature. All winning leaners will each receive a laptop and all winning circuit managers got spa vouchers sponsored by the Zillion Boutique. Municipality partnered with Hotel@Tzaneen (venue), Old Mutual (trophies) and Zillion Boutique (spa vouchers). ALL THE WINNERS Best performing leaners per circuit from Public Schools.
Best Performing Educators (Ordinary Public Schools) Best Performing Learner per circuit (Independent Schools)
Best Performing Educators in Mathematics
Best Performing Educators in Physical Science
Best Performing Educators in Accounting
Best Circuit based on enrolment of 500 and above
Most Improved Circuits
For Immediate release _________________________________________________________________________ Issued by: Neville Ndlala on behalf of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality
Spokesperson - 015 307 8489 - 073 076 2125- neville.ndlala@tzaneen.gov.za read more |
 | MAYOR OFFICIALLY OPENS NEW ROAD & HANDOVER A HOUSE Mayor Maripe Mangena officially opened the newly tarred Tickelyline to Makhubidung Road today (Wednesday, 8th of March 2017). The road which is 3km long cost the municipality R16.4 million and was funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG). It will directly benefit residents in Tickelyline, Myakayaka, Glasswork and Makhubidung Villages. The road also links communities to CN Phathudi Hospital, Shiluvane Library, Maake Plaza as well as various schools and churches. At least 42 labour workers mostly local were employed for the duration of the project. The road was also built through a local contractor. Mayor Mangena also handed over a house to 26-year-old Delina Maenetja of Myakayaka Village. Delina, a mother of two children aged 5 and 8 lived in a shack and had to be relocated as her shack was in the route of the new road. Delina now occupies a standard RDP house in Myakayaka Village. Delina who could not hide excitement said she felt blessed that she now has a house of her own. She said at least she now knows that if ever she dies her children will have a place to stay and no one will throw them out. Speaking at low key event attended by locals and stakeholders, Mayor Maripe Mangena urged residents to look after the new infrastructure, He said that if they damaged the road instead of government bringing more development they will have to fix the damages which he said will slow development in the area. The road was built by Makasana Construction supervised by Southern Ambition Consulting Engineers (SACE). read more |
 | GTM GEARS FOR THE MAYOR’S CUP Greater Tzaneen Municipality will host its annual Mayor’s Cup on the 18th of March 2017 at Lenyenye Stadium. The tournament will coincide with the official reopening of Lenyenye Stadium which was closed due to refurbishments worth R14.7 million. Individual participants and teams will compete in marathon, football, netball and golf. The marathon will start and end at Lenyenye Stadium. Entry forms for the marathon are available at various municipal offices and libraries. Entry fee for the 21km is R40, R20 for the 10 km race and free for the 5km fun run. Those interested in participating can still enter on the day of the marathon between 5am and 6:45. Both the 21km and 10 km races will commerce at 7am with the 5km fun run starting at 07h15. The winner for the 21km race will take home R4000.00, 2nd and third place will take home R3000.00 and R2000.00 respectively. Soccer teams will compete in three categories, namely, ladies soccer development (under 21), men’s football development (under 21) and workers soccer. Soccer teams’ play cluster elimination matches on Saturday, 11 March 2017. The municipality has four cluster namely Bulamahlo, Lesedi, Relela and Runnymede. In development soccer for both men and ladies, winners will take home R5000.00 plus kit and soccer balls, 2nd place will take R3000.00 and third place wins R1500.00. Netball teams will only compete in two categories being netball development and netball for workers. In Netball Development first place wins R3000.00, 2nd place R1500.00 and third place R1000.00. In Netball Workers first place wins R3000.00, 2nd place R1500.00 and third place R1000.00. Both soccer and netball will be played at Lenyenye Stadium and Molabisane High School on 18 March. Golf will be played at Tzaneen Country Club from 8am and at least 40 golfers are expected to participate. The Mayor’s cup was postponed from December 2016 to allow more teams an opportunity to register and participate. Refurbishments in Lenyenye Stadium include the reconstruction of the football field to a 105m x 68m pitch with new grass, an 8-lane synthetic athletic track as well as facilities for all track and field events. These facilities will include those for shot put, Discus, javelin, long and triple jump as well as high jump. Other refurbishments done are on the tennis, basketball and netball courts within the stadium precinct. With water a challenge in the area, the contractor is also expected to provide a permanent, reliable source of irrigation water. The shower rooms and toilets have also be renovated as well as the roof in the pavilion. Mayor Maripe Mangena calls on all the residents of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality and beyond to come and participate in the three races. read more |
| WARNING: JOB SCAM The Greater Tzaneen Municipality would like to warn current and potential job seekers of an ongoing scam where scammers send an sms to an applicant congratulating them on being shortlisted for a job recently advertised by the municipality. The message will contain the job tittle and job number similar to the one advertised by the municipality. The sms is purported as coming from MH Maake the Human Resources Manager. Please consider the following before responding to any message regarding a job in the municipality. The municipality will not request any money from an applicant before or after the interview. Shortlisted applicants are informed via telephone by an official from Human Resources with the date, time and venue of the interview. The municipality does not send sms to applicants informing them of an interview. GTM does not make use of the recruitment agencies. Also note that application forms are available in our municipal offices in Tzaneen and on our website (www.greatertzaneen.gov.za). To confirm if you are indeed shortlist contact HR at 015 307 8384. We urge members of the community to be careful with their money. There is no single individual that you can pay to secure employment in the municipality as the recruitment process consist of various stages and involves various stakeholders such Management, HR and Labour Unions. Please note that any promise for a job in exchange for money is scam and must be reported to the authorities immediately, please also alert our HR on 015 307 8382. You can also call HR on 015 307 8006 to confirm receipt of your application after the closing date. read more |
| MEDIA RELEASE DATE: 20 FEBRUARY 2017 TO: ALL NEWS EDITORS AND JOURNALISTS TZANEEN PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL NOW OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC Please note that the Tzaneen Public Swimming pool is now open to the general public from Wednesday to Sunday every week from 10am to 6pm. The pool will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Entry fee is R20, 00 per person per day with an exception of kids 3 years old and younger as well as pensioners in possession of their pension card. Please note that the following fees will be applicable as per below categories:
Swimming development and coaching requirements must be met by any interested person or organization to conduct swimming and coaching development at the Tzaneen Public Swimming pool. Please note that tickets are only available at municipal offices in Tzaneen, Nkowankowa, Lenyenye, Letsitele Library and Haenertsburg Library. No persons will be allowed at the public swimming pool without a valid ticket. Monthly and season ticket holders must produce their identity cards that match the information on their tickets. For Immediate release _________________________________________________________________________ Issued by: Neville Ndlala on behalf of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality
Spokesperson - 015 307 8489 - 073 076 2125- neville.ndlala@tzaneen.gov.za read more |
 | 300 learners get new uniform Mayor Maripe Mangena presided over ceremony to handover school uniform to hundreds of learners and officially open a combo court donated by the national lotteries at Maale Primary School on 7 February 2017. Maale primary located in Makhubidung village has 575 leaners most of them from poor families. School principal Patricia Magabane said that some leaners came to school wearing shoes with no sole and trousers without zips. “We had leaners that came to school in winter without jerseys” Said Magabane. According to the principal who joined the school in 2013 the situation affected the quality of learning at the school. She said a donor who wants to remain anonymous for now came to the school’s rescue with a school uniform donation worth over R30 000. “More school uniform is still to come during the course of the year, because the donor‘s aspiration is for every learner to get uniform” said Magabane. The neediest leaners were prioritised and given uniform first. She said that the donor bought 380 items which included trousers, shirts, skirts, shoes and socks. Addressing the gathering Mayor Maripe Mangena who served as the ward councillor for 10 years in ward 27 which also covers Makhubidung said that education was an enemy of poverty. He said that when a child gets an education their home becomes peaceful and that there is progress. He also expressed gratitude on behalf of the municipality to the donor, saying the donor was an practical example of meaning of the phrase “giving back to the community”. Also speaking the ceremony, headman Maake told the learners that “education was one thing that no one will never take away from you”. The headman anchored the words of Thepelo Ndou from the department of Higher Education who said “They can take your business, your house or money but they can never take your education” The school is also a beneficiary of the national lotteries funding programme which allocated R270 thousands to build court which caters for netball, volleyball and softball. This is expected to motivate physical activity among learners. “A healthy body means a healthy mind” said Magabane Speaking on behalf of parents, Miss Skokotlo seemed to struggle with words due to excitement repeating the words “rethabile ka gare ga maphelo a rena”. Which is Sepedi for “we are happy within ourselves?” The enrolment at the school has also grown from 270 in 2013 to 575 in this year. She said the school was in poor community and that leaners faced challenges such as domestic abuse, however, the school had ample support from the community. “Even before this event parents came here to clean the school, we also have support from the traditional leaders, Headman Majoro attends all our meetings and events” said the principal. The school is a feeder for Pherehla Maake High school and the school is performing better than most school due to the quality of leaners that the school produces.
Caption: Ivy Rasodi and Tebogo Rasodi of Shiluvavne Village , grade one “We thank the principal from bringing use school uniform, we thank you a lot” read more |
 | GTM embarks on a back to school campaign Mayor Maripe Mangena led a “back to school campaign”, which saw 11 schools visited by five teams over a three day period. The objective of the campaign was to congratulate best performing schools and encourage the worst performing school in order to improve matric results. The delegation also recorded challenges facing the schools. Councilors of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality embarked on a “Back to School” Campaign from the 11th to the 12th of January. The municipality divided councilors into five groups which visited the worst performing schools on the 11th and the best performing of the 12th. On Wednesday, the day when schools reopened councilors visited DZJ Mthebule (Nkowankowa) 87.36% , Zivuko (Mariveni) 92.56%, Meresky (Tzaneen) 100%, Matimu (Khujwana), and B Mkhabele (Mhangweni) 90%. On Thursday, the teams went to Nelson Ramodike (Marumofase) 34.31%, Progress (Nkowankowa) 21.17%, Stanley Mopai (22.68), Hetiseka (Msiphana) and Gwambeni (Xihoko) 89%. Addressing learners at Zivuko, Mayor Mangena said “When you arrive at you home with a diploma or any qualification poverty escapes through the window, poverty fears qualification, poverty and qualification are enemies , therefore for your to win against poverty just get down and study.” In most schools the teams addressed leaners and also met separately with the school management. Principals and teachers raised grievances which included among others lack of admin blocks, overcrowding, unfinished infrastructure projects, shortage of teachers, furniture, stationery, books and water. The delegation promised to engage relevant authorities and provide feedback as soon as possible. The Mayor’s team which visited DZJ and Zivuko was supported by the Founder of Miss Greater Tzaneen Royal Nobility (GTRN), Ntombi Baloyi, Praises Baloyi (Miss GTRN 2017) and 1st Runner-up Shiluva Nkuna. The hardworking and helpful Circuit Manager for Ritavi Doreen Manzini was also part of the delegation. Praises Baloyi gave a motivational talk in both schools which received a thunderous applause from the leaners. The five teams were led by the Mayor, Councilors Cassius Machimana, Star Mbhalati, Thabo Maunatlala and Edney Ntimbani.
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 | Q & A with Mayor Maripe Mangena GTM Bulletin: Where were you born My name is Maripe Mangena, I was born in Mogapene village, Shiluvane in the late 1960s. I only have one sister younger Mamokidi and me but I do have siblings from another mother in Cape Town, Stellenbosch where my dad lived for many years. GTM Bulletin: Where did you attend school I started my primary school at Mogapene Lower Primary, proceeded to Mmalahla Higher Primary then to the well-known Bokgaga High School. After matric I went to Kwena Moloto College of Education. Then in 1992 I started working as an Educator at my childhood school, Mmalahla. In 1993 I joined the local high school called Mokwane High school, and in 2003 I joined Molomahlapi High school in Maruleng Municipality. In 2006 I joined Mapula Primary School in Bolobedu South as Head Of Department until 2011 when I resigned to be full-time in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality Council. GTM Bulletin: When did you realize your passion for politics and ventured into politics Like many young people, growing in a poverty stricken area, an area that was directly and physically involved in a black on black ethnic based fights, an area where some had to travel over 10 km to access education. Where we had to witness brilliant minds dropping out of school because of lack if finances. These are the circumstances that were compelling for one to get involved in politics not as a passion for it was not necessarily an option. GTM Bulletin: What is your political background As highlighted, we got involved when we were around 17-years old as did many young people in my area led by the late cde Nkaswilavi, the late Mataung Rakgoale, Cde Lando and others. We were marshalled into many protest actions including Safari Bakery boycott and mobilising our communities to start refusing to pay the compulsory annual Bakgaga cool drink for the queen of the Maake tribe. Also the political environment of a demand for the recognized SRCs by Bo cde Banda, the current chairperson of one branch in Letaba, cde Kenny Nghomaneni Maake, the late Mogaleamalla Joseph and many others was inescapable. I did not lead at that stage. My conscious was strengthened by the pure pro black life drama that we started performing under a cultural club in 1987 organized and directed by Cde Rasemea Moribo. With this background, upon arrival at the college, I was nominated into the sub-committee of cultural committee of the SRC in 1989, October and was elected the head of that committee in Oct 1990 and served till 1991 Oct. I also served as the secretary of then SANSCO of Kwena Moloto that really brokered cooperation with the Seshego community which was severed and literally physical. Coming back home I started serving my community both politically (ANCYL, ANC,SANCO, SADTU) and socially at branch level from 1990 until 2014 when I was elected as the chairperson of the ANC MARKSHOPPE sub-region and GTM Chief Whip. I never had a two month break without political activity/engagement because I never belonged to an inactive structure for all this years up to date GTM Bulletin: What are some of your achievements Since when I was delegated to the ANCYL national conference on 16-20 Dec 1991 at the Kwa-Ndebele college through a branch mandate, and reported back to the BEC and BGM, all the branches I belonged to sustain that culture to the letter. We never had a meeting postponed due to a lack of quorum. We became the best ANC branch in 2011/12 in Mopani Region. Our branch and Ward 27 community remain most organized and responsive to any progressive programme. Out of the expected 40 quarterly community meetings in my ten years of Ward councillorship, 38 were successfully held The leadership collective I lead is more united beyond imagination both politically and governance. We have delivered the State of the Ward for ward 27 since 2011 and it is now a GTM council policy. GTM Bulletin: What are your views on the current state of Tzaneen The previous leadership ably lead by former Mayor Cde Dikeledi has done much. We are happy we were able to identify the problems and have way forward on the legal fees, slow or non-spending on capital projects, poor monitoring of projects, shrinking income base and low revenue collection, insufficient or lack of human resource to serve the community beyond contractual obligation on behalf of this people based institution called a municipality. GTM Bulletin: What changes are you as the mayor going to bring to Tzaneen As part of the collective leadership deployed by the ANC, We have a mandate to further the development so far. Having identified the gaps in response to the last question, the manifesto and policy positions of the ANC and government will guide us. Significantly, we seek to speed the following up: implementation of the By-laws, expanding our revenue base to our rural communities by providing quality services, updating our indigent register and doing the justifiable thing. Create more jobs for our people through the above thinking and make our villages as habitable as towns and townships. This will surely reduce urbanization. GTM Bulletin: What job creation efforts will you make as a mayor Engagement with Limpopo Economic Development Environment and Tourism (LEDET, Limpopo Economiic Development Agency(LEDA), our own arm, GTEDA to zoom into unlocking of Tours Tea farms, Nkowankowa closed factories, Makgoebaskloof or Sapekoe Tea Estate, Mopani Mosupatsela Farm and supporting initiatives to build shopping malls as immediate tasks to create jobs. Our major focus for the next five years over and above the many things we shall be doing includes insourcing of numerous municipal services that we can simply do internally. We will invite business to augment the efforts of the Mayor with 100 p c on student financial aid to skill our disadvantaged youths. We also will engage our local FETs or other tertiary institutions to align their out-put to the economic needs of the municipality. E.g being a highly agriculture area we produce no Agriculturalists. We must address Relevancy.
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 | MEDIA STATEMENT IN RELATION TO THE ATTACHMENT AND REMOVAL OF THE MAYORAL VEHICLE The Greater Tzaneen Municipality would like to allay fears that there is a crisis in the municipality, it must therefore be stated categorically clear that the municipality is operating efficiently and effectively and continues to deliver services as per its constitutional and legislative mandate. The attachment and subsequent removal of the mayoral vehicle was a result of miscommunication between the municipality, the sheriff and municipality’s legal representative. The matter has since been resolved and all monies owed in connection with the warrant of execution were paid immediately as soon as the matter was brought to the attention of the municipality, however the actual cause of the said miscommunication is being investigated. The municipality is disappointed in the manner in which the Sherriff handled the removal of the mayoral vehicle, firstly by bringing along a journalist with a video camera and secondly by refusing to afford the municipality a mere15 minutes to effect the payment of monies owed as it was their primary demand. We have a strong view that the actions of the Sherriff were orchestrated to embarrass the municipality and its leadership. It is also strange that the Sherriff opted to attach the mayoral vehicle of whose value far surpasses the amount in question. It is also worth noting that the amount of R111694.00 was paid at around 08h50 and the mayoral vehicle was returned within an hour of the payment being effected. The attachment of the mayoral vehicle is completely unrelated to the vehicle itself as the vehicle has already been paid for in full. Also worth noting is that the removal of the vehicle did not any way affect the schedule nor the programme of the mayor. The mayor is currently attending a week long induction with fellow councillors and was not using the vehicle at the time of the incident. We would like to call on all the political parties and other observers to refrain from making statements about the municipality in the media without first verifying their facts. These false statements can only serve as a source of incitement and also spread uncertainty. We also call on all our residents to rally behind the municipality and its newly elected council. These false accusations are only meant to distract the municipality’s leadership from their responsibilities which is the provision of services to communities of Greater Tzaneen. The Mayor and the collective leadership of the municipality is committed to serving the municipality and has the best interest of the residents of municipality which includes creating an atmosphere conducive for economic growth and job creation, enhancing the service delivery mechanism of the municipality and uniting the residents of the municipality towards a common goal which is to build a vibrant economy and the provision of sustainable basic services. For Immediate release ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Issued by: Mr. Ntsako Neville Ndlala Spokesperson & Acting Manager Communications and Marketing Services Office Tel: 015 307 8019 – Fax No: 0867596454 Cell No: 073 076 2125 E-mail Address: neville.ndlala@tzaneen.gov.za read more |
| GTM TO HOST ITS 3rd ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL EXPO The Greater Tzaneen Municipality will host its 3rd annual Agricultural Expo from the 22nd to the 24th of September 2016 at Letaba Showground. The Agri Expo was born out of the Land Reform and Forestry Summit which the municipality hosted in 2013. In 2014 GTM staged its inaugural Agricultural Expo which recorded 1000 attendees and 52 exhibitors over a three day period. The Agri-Expo was coordinated through an events management company in 2014 but in 2015 the municipality coordinated the Agri-Expo internally through an Events Coordinating/Management Committee. In the 2015 Expo the municipality recorded just over 1000 visitors. In the 2015 Agric Expo the municipality hosted an Agri Youth Imbizo which saw 90 learners from 21 local schools and 32 young farmers from 22 agricultural projects participate. At least 150 people among them farmers, aspiring farmers and students attended various workshops as part of the expo in the same year. GTM also hosted a gala dinner attended by about 200 guests and a Mayoral networking breakfast. The Agri- Expo is a platform for stakeholders in the agricultural sector to interact, exchange ideas, transact and copy best practices in the sector. It is also a platform for upcoming farmers and established commercial farmers to interact and learn from each other. The Expo is also used as a marketing vehicle to promote Tzaneen as an agricultural hub in the province. In this year’s three day event the Mayor, Councillor Maripe Mangena will host a charity Golf Day on the 23rd of September at Tzaneen Country Club from 8am, a networking breakfast on the 22nd of September at Hotel@Tzaneen from 8am and Gala dinner also on 22nd of September at Hotel@Tzaneen from 6pm. Also on the 22nd the municipality will host the Agri Youth Imbizo at Letaba Showground Hall B from 8am. GTM will also host workshops on the 22nd and 23rd of September on Agro-processing, global warming, export markets, funding, insurances etc. On the 22nd of September the municipality will take 180 learners from various schools on a tour of ten (10) farms specialising in areas such as processing, livestock farming, crop production, citrus etc. This year Expo is sponsored by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Komatie Fruits (Bosveld Sitrus). The Agric -Expo partners are Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Greater Tzaneen Economic Development Agency (GTEDA) and the Letaba Herald. The Expo is supported by ZZ2, Department of Education, Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the Department of Agriculture Fishers and Forestry (DAFF), Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Mopani District Municipality (MDM) as well as universities and agricultural colleges. For Immediate release ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Issued by: Mr. Ntsako Neville Ndlala Spokesperson & Acting Manager Communications and Marketing Services Office Tel: 015 307 8019 – Fax No: 0867596454 Cell No: 073 076 2125 E-mail Address: neville.ndlala@tzaneen.gov.za read more |
| STATEMENT ON THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE FOR THE MAYOR The purchase of a new vehicle for the Mayor was necessary for several reasons, first the previous mayor’s vehicle was bought in 2011 and has exceeded 150 000 kilometres and was no longer under motor plan. The vehicle was involved in two separate accidents albeit minor. The vehicle has also suffered numerous mechanical breakdowns costing the municipality in excess of R180 000 as some stage and in a very short period. There was also high cost of hiring a vehicle for the mayor during the periods where the vehicle was involved either in an accident or suffered mechanical breakdown. We have invoices to back this. In actual fact the purchase of the new vehicle will save the municipality money and will be convenient for the mayor. The SALGA handbook allows for the replacement of the mayor’s official vehicle if it has exceeded 150000 km, the mileage on the previous vehicle stood at 173 000km. We also have to purchase an SUV considering the terrain that we operate in, the mayor has to travel to mountainous rural areas to engage communities. He also needs a reliable vehicle for official trips outside the municipality. We have purchased a vehicle that is standard and is used by a majority of mayors, MECs etc. all over the country. It is also misleading and demeaning for the DA to suggest that buying a vehicle for a mayor is wasteful and fruitless. The expenditure might be irregular, but it is far from wasteful or fruitless. The purchase was done above board and through deviation which is legally permissible. The cost of the vehicle does not exceed the amount allowed for the purchase of vehicles for Mayors. When it comes to the purchase of a vehicle for the speaker, as a municipality we are not aware of any recent purchase for the new speaker. We do however have a vehicle which we bought in 2014 to transport the speaker, that vehicle is still in a good condition and available for official use. The mayor, as the first citizen must be transported in a safe reliable vehicle, his safety first as a human being and secondly as Mayor must be prioritised. The mayor will be required to meet people even during turmoil and violent service delivery protests, it is therefore important that he is provided with a reliable safe mode of transportation. With regard to the attachment of assets of the municipality, it must be stated categorically clear that no asset of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality has been attached both movable and immovable assets. We have challenged the court order granted to Expetera and the matter is still before the courts.
For Immediate release _________________________________________________________________________ Issued by: Neville Ndlala Spokesperson 015 307 8019 073 076 2125 neville.ndlala@tzaneen.gov.za read more |
 | Mpumi Mhalanga amongst children at Glenshiel Primary on Mandela Day 2016 read more |
 | RESPONSE TO COMPLAINT RELATING TO ACCOUNTS BILLING
The Greater Tzaneen Municipality has received numerous complaints from residents in relation to their monthly municipal bills. The bulk of the complaints are related to electricity charges and disconnection fees. Residents are reminded that the deadline for payments is the 25th of each month, those who fail to meet the deadline will receive a reminder. Failure to act on the reminder will result in the defaulter receiving a “final request” notice, which is accompanied by a R45.00 fee plus VAT. Action will therefore be required from the accountholder within three days of receiving the “final request” notice. Failure to act within the stipulated timeframe will result in the delivery of a disconnection notice and subsequent disconnection. The disconnection notice is delivered at the same time that the actual disconnection is done. A disconnection fee of R365.00 plus VAT will be billed into the account of the property owner or account holder. The electricity will only be reconnected after payment is made. We have appointed a service provider to do meter reading on behalf of the municipality and they have already started with their work. The readings are collected on a monthly basis and captured onto our financial systems. For accuracy and as proof a photo of the meter at the time when the reading is recorded is taken and uploaded into the account. The hike in electricity bills in most instances in a result of the heat wave which led to residents overusing their air conditioners. The air conditioner consumes more electricity more than most household utilities. Residents who have queries or are not satisfied with their accounts are welcome to lodge their queries with our accounts section in the Finance Department. Residents can visit the municipality and our officers at Credit Control will kindly explain the charges and rectify any errors thereof. read more |
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