J.B. Marks appoints Lebu Ralekgetho as new municipal manager

The executive mayor of J.B. Marks Local Municipality, Kgotso Khumalo, welcomed Lebu Ralekgetho as the new municipal manager from 2 January 2019.

According to Victor Boqo, the mayoral spokesperson, Ralekgetho was appointed as the new MM at an ordinary Council meeting in December 2018.

‘Our municipality has been without an accounting officer since the resignation of the former MM, Dr Nomathemba Blaai-Mokgethi in February 2018. Ralekgetho takes over from the acting MM, Masego Jansen who was seconded from the provincial government in October 2018,’ he said.
Boqo says Ralekgetho has vast experience at the senior management level of local government.

‘Before assuming his role as the municipal manager at J.B. Marks, Ralekgetho was the MM of Ditsobotla Local Municipality. In more than a decade in the local government sector, Ralekgetho has worked as the director of corporate services in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, the acting MM of the erstwhile Ventersdorp Local Municipality and the MM of Maquassi Hills Local Municipality. He also worked as the deputy city manager at the Klerksdorp City Council and the director of administration in what was then the Southern District Municipality,’ he said.

Master’s Degree in Development and Management

‘He is currently studying towards his PhD in Business Administration with the University of the Free State. He boasts with a Master’s Degree in Development and Management and BA Honours in Public Administration from NWU. He majored in Sociology and Political Studies when he completed his BA degree at Wits University. He went on to enrol for additional certificate programmes in management development for municipal finance (CPMD) with Wits University and a certificate in local government administration, among others,’ he said.

In welcoming the new municipal manager, Khumalo expressed his gratitude to the former acting MM, Masego Jansen for the commitment she has shown in accelerating service delivery and her dedication in working for the broader community of J.B. Marks.

‘On behalf of the council, I wish to extend a warm welcome to the new MM and wish Lebu Ralekgetho well in his new position. Our municipality is facing various challenges and it is our hope and belief that the new MM will work tirelessly to steer the ship to calmer waters and render uninterrupted service delivery to the people of J.B. Marks,’ he said.

Boqo says the new MM comes in just as the Auditor-General (AG) has audited our books for the financial year of 2017/2018 from a disclaimer to a qualified opinion. This is already a sign of improvement for the municipality.

Ralekgetho to bring back the glory of the J.B. Marks Municipality

In accepting the position, Ralekgetho said he would work with the staff members, politicians from all parties and community members to ‘bring back the glory of our municipality by improving the ailing infrastructure, patching potholes, clearing illegal dumping and refuse removal. In improving service delivery, I need to check what went wrong and have a recovery plan in place’.

‘I can reassure our community that there will be an improvement in service delivery and commitment from employees. There will be many changes in the administration, specifically regarding management operation. We want to improve service delivery and change the lives of our people.

Furthermore, we will analyse the skills of all employees and ensure unity among our regions, including those employees. I will make sure there is a fair distribution of resources to both Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp to accelerate service delivery to our communities.

‘As the new MM, I’m also committed to working with all stakeholders from both private and government institutions and all civic organisations. I would highly appreciate any further suggestion on how to make our city better. We will place suggestion boxes at all our strategic offices, social media and our municipal website. I believe in working with people and being transparent at all times,’ he concluded.