POLOKWANE – She was born to two political activists for the ANC.
“Both were philanthropists,” says Thembi Nkadimeng, Polokwane’s new mayor. “It was about the community and its issues: my father had a soup kitchen and distributed blankets, my mom ran a home for the elderly.” She says many a pauper’s burial in Bethal was arranged by her family. “My mom took care of them.”
Thembi grew up in Swaziland and in South Africa.
Her one sister, an MK courier and student activist in Swaziland, was killed during the struggle in 1983, and her remains have still not been found. She still drives the process to find her sister’s body, to have closure. “It’s more for my parents, more for them that I am doing it,” she says.
She studied at the University of Limpopo, then known as the University of the North, where she obtained a BA degree (honours) in social sciences and a teacher’s diploma. In 1997, she joined what was then known as the department of safety, security and liaison as assistant director.
Her “announcement” during her inauguration that she had her sights on becoming the first female premier of the province was a joke, she says, “But also a bit serious; I wanted to make the point that women are capable and this should not be doubted. We must make sure space for women in leadership positions is available. It is not really about Thembi. But our country is ready for a female president. We have been thrown in difficult positions before, there is potential for women, the space must just be created.”
One of the women who made a meaningful impact on her life, and a lasting impression on her, was her maternal grandmother. She lived in Swaziland, but all her children are now in South Africa. “She raised all her grandchildren. She was a solid woman. She was a woman of prayer, she recited prayers daily.”
She admires women “behind the scenes” who, despite struggles, make it in life. She tells the story of a former colleague who started off as a cleaner in a government department, who, despite being in an abusive relationship, developed herself through education.
Thembi’s support system comprises her husband and family: four children, two girls and two boys. Her husband is a former municipal manager in Sekhukhune, but is now in business.
For relaxation Thembi loves reading about politics and she also enjoys biographies. She also loves music. She unwinds with her children, whose ages range from seven to 18, and loves to be around them on Saturdays and birthdays.
She enjoys holidaying at the Victoria Falls or in nature reserves.
Her immediate priorities as mayor include “closing the obvious gaps”.
“Why are there still potholes?” she asks. “Why does it take two months to repair potholes and the holes remain for ages when they start working on them and they appear again so soon?”
Another area needing attention is the fleet contract, which she sees as not benefitting the city. “They knew the loopholes, and we need to tighten them. One cannot fix the complex problems if you cannot fix the small ones.” Customer care is very important, as well as the cleanliness of the city. Areas around contract management will also receive attention. A clean audit is a must, according to the mayor. “A team has been established to unlock the AG’s queries and to formulate an action plan for a clean audit.”
Anther priority is smart billing. “Around August we will start with it. All problems are the result of contractors not doing their work.”
She also intends putting systems and structures in place, internal and external, to combat corruption. “There is space for business development in the city. We have to teach ourselves to do it the right way. Some people will try to take advantage because we are new. We must teach people the correct culture of doing business, and spend wisely.”
