Message of condolences to the Mandela Family

On behalf the people of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, let me express our deepest sadness on the passing of Mama Winnie Mandela, the mother of the nation and a struggle icon.

Mama Winnie was an embodiment of gallantry and fearlessness, a social worker and a liberator,  

Let me send our deepest condolences to the Mandela and Madikizela families for their loss. You must remember that your loss is our loss. The nation has now been deprived of a voice of reason.

Mama Winnie was a unifier and South Africa’s celestial intervention who remained unshaken in the face of unimaginable evil.

Her unflinching determination to dismantle the evil apartheid regime delivered us in land of self-determination and egalitarianism from the land of the disenfranchised and the oppressed.

We are indebted for our liberties to her unwavering and relentless pursuit for a better, free and equal society.

May her soul rest in eternal peace.  

From: His Worship Mayor, Cllr. Maripe Mangena

New Municipal Manager meets municipal officials

Tuesday, 03 April 2018:  Newly appointed municipal manager Serapelo (Thapelo) Matlala was formally introduced the GTM’s workforce in short ceremony held at the civic centre’s council chambers on Tuesday morning. Addressing officials and councillors, Mayor Maripe Mangena said that “I must indicate that Hollywood is coming to an end here in Tzaneen”. The municipality’s top administrative positions have been vacant for an extensive period and acting directors had to be appointed.

This led to some referring to the GTM as Hollywood. Mangena said that they were excited that finally top management positions were being filled. Five of the top management position are now occupied. The position of Chief Financial Officer and Director for Engineering Services are still vacant, however Mangena indicated that the process to fill the position of CFO has been concluded and that the incumbent will start on 1 May 2018. The Mayor also pointed out that the process of filling the director position for engineering services was at an advance stage but not yet completed.

In his maiden address to GTM officials Matlala said “It feels good to be here”. Matlala continued “My responsibility is very simple, it might be difficult but it’s very simple, it is to support you, it is to make you to be able to do your job, if you have a problem in doing your job, I must be able to help you do that job. He also said “

Matlala said “We must be the best municipality in Limpopo and if possible in South Africa”. We must be a model for local government” He said there only reason to have joined GTM was to make in a model municipality and the best in the province and beyond.   

Before joining the GTM Matlala served as the Provincial Executive Officer for SALGA Limpopo. He was also Manager for Municipal Capacity Building at Trade Investment Limpopo (TIL) from 2004 to 2010. He has held several leadership position in the public sector. Matlala holds a B Tech in Public Management from Unisa, an Advanced Diploma in Labour Law from University of Johannesburg, and a National Diploma ain Municipal Administration Technikon Mangosuthu.

Matlala also plans to engage all staff members in a bigger meeting to “chat a way forward”.

Mangena who was flanked by members of his Executive also introduced Aleck Nkuna who also starts as the Director for Community Services on a five year contract. Nkuna has previously served as director for community services at Greater Letaba Municipality and recently held the position of Provincial Programme Manager at the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA) Limpopo. Nkuna holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Limpopo formerly University of the North. He holds an array of management certificates and programmes from institutions such as the Wits Business School, Regenesys and University of Limpopo.

The other directors are Walter Shibamba for Corporate Services, Benjamin Mathebula for Planning and Economic Development and Sam Lelope for Electrical Engineering.

Report by Neville Ndlala

The Council of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality has appointed the following senior management on the 27 February 2018:

• Serapelo (Thapelo) Matlala as the Municipal Manager
• Benjamin Mathebula Mathebula as Director for Planning and Economic Development (PED)
• Aleck Nkuna as Director for Community Services

All have been appointed on a 5 year fixed contract. They are all expected to start on 1 March 2018.

Council wishes all the appointees the best of luck on their new roles and hopes that they deliver to the people of Tzaneen

WARNING: MUNICIPAL JOBS NOT FOR SALE

The Greater Tzaneen Municipality advertised over 20 jobs last week and already several applicants have been robbed of their hard earned money by individuals who promised them municipal jobs in exchange for cash.

The municipality has issued warnings on previous occasions, however our people continue to fall victim to this scam.

The municipality or any of its official will never ask for money in exchange for a job/s. The recruitment process of the municipality is regulated and there are various stakeholders involved.

No single individual can make an appointment singlehanded.

Human resources and departments sit in interview panels and recommend to the municipal manager on positions lower than that of directors. Labour Unions observe the process for fairness and legality.

You must be cautious of those who approach you with these impossible promises. You must also remember that paying someone for a job is criminal offence.

Those who pay in exchange for favour are as corrupt as those who take the money to dish out favours. Our government has taken a hard-line approach to corruption.

Please alert the police if anyone offers you a municipal job for cash or any favour.

There are also a contact numbers on all the adverts for further information.

Please spread the message to as many people as possible before they too become victims.