JOHANNESBURG - Just over a month ago, Oda Ngobeni was the Head of Communications and spokesperson for Mopani District Municipality. Today, he is the mayor of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality in Limpopo.
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Ngobeni was sworn in as a proportional representation (PR) councillor before being elected mayor in May. He replaced Gerson Molapisane as part of the ANC’s leadership reconfiguration in Limpopo.
"It is a very humbling experience," he says.
Although Ngobeni has no prior experience as a councillor, he believes his 22 years in government communications have given him a solid understanding of local government.
"In the 81 days that I have been here we are getting positive reviews and stakeholders say the change was necessary," he says.
Ngobeni says external stakeholders have also welcomed the leadership change. With less than five months until the local government elections, he is determined to make his mark.
"What is most important is that we need to accelerate service provision," he says, adding that this is the mandate he has been given by the ANC.
"We are hands-on, we are meeting with communities where they have been raising issues of water supply," says Ngobeni.
Having spent just over a month in office, Ngobeni says he is embracing the challenge of leading the municipality and delivering on residents’ expectations.