No inauguration shindig for Limpopo premier, Chupu Stanley Mathabatha

Unlike other provinces which are spending hundreds of millions for the inauguration of Premiers and Mayors, Mathabatha said the money set aside for the ceremony would rather be channelled to service delivery, Polokwane Review reports.

“I can now say with paramount confidence that under the tutelage of Mathabatha, Limpopo has now mastered the art of doing more with little,” said Mathabatha’s Spokesperson, Kenny Mathivha.

Mathivha confirmed the premier has been inundated with calls from all over the province, and across the border asking for information regarding the inauguration ceremony.

“But instead of throwing an expensive banquet, the Premier channelled the money for ample delivery of services to the people of Limpopo. Mathabatha believes the money set aside for the inauguration ceremony could best be utilised to improve lives,” said Mathivha.

The EFF, which is the official opposition in the province, was ecstatic about Mathabatha’s stand.

“This is the first good step Mathabatha took since his appointment as premier by former President Jacob Zuma on 18 July 2013. His decision to channel the inauguration money to service delivery shows beyond any shadow of a doubt that Mathabatha is beginning to take his job seriously. We hope that from now on he will think more of the well-being of the people of Limpopo than his own comrades,” EFF Limpopo Leader, Jossey Buthane said.

He added: “You know what they say, when you speak to a man in the language that he understands, all goes to his head. But when you speak to a man in the language that he knows, all goes to the heart. It now seems Mathabatha understands the EFF language more than other languages spoken in the province, Buthane said.

The DA also welcomed the stand by Mathabatha, saying his position on the inauguration was a sign of growth. “Maybe Mathabatha is a man with a good ear after all. We only hope that he continues to display this kind of thinking in his five years as a leader or else the DA will take him to the cleaners,” said DA Limpopo Leader, Jacques Smalle.