Just who is Percy Nketsi?

MOKOPANE – Some may know him as the former chairperson of the Mogalakwena Residents Association (MRA) while others may know him as the representative of the municipal work force.

We get to know the man behind the name

Nketsi (34) was born and bred in Mahwelereng and according to him he has been involved in politics since his high school days. “I was born to fight for the right cause, to tell the truth and to stand up for what I believe in.” Nketsi was part of the MRA right from the beginning and he was the late Piet Pale’s (former chairperson for the MRA) right hand man. Pale was shot in June of 2014 in Mahwelereng and many claim it was a political assassination. Nketsi then took over the reigns as chairperson. However he recently stepped down as chairperson due to the fact that they registered themselves as a political party last year. “When I joined the MRA it was a unity and everyone from the ANC right through to the DA could be a member. My expectation of the MRA was that we were supposed to be the ‘watch-dog’ during the coming election to make sure elections are free and fair, not to stand as a party.”

When asked why the municipal employees chose him to represent them during the recent standstill, he said: “I was never on my own and I did not lead them, it was the entire worker force working together as a collective to stand up for our rights. I was merely their voice.”

Nketsi said he strongly believes that for the country to be better the change has to start in Mogalakwena as the Mogalakwena Platinum mine is one of the biggest platinum resources in the world. His hope for the coming election is transparency and that no one must impose their political beliefs on any one.

“The community should be given the freedom to decide on their own to whom they want to cast their vote.

“I also hope that our leaders will learn that no one is above the law and those who have tampered with the ‘public wallet’ must account for their actions.

“Everyone should vote as the guarantee of our freedom requires us to remain permanently vigilant against corruption and the erosion of the values of the Freedom Struggle and to build an active citizenry that will work towards wiping out the legacy of racism, inequality and the promotion of the rights embodied in our constitution.” He further said to be a leader one must love the people; you cannot lead when you do not love. I will always look up to the late Oliver Tambo, not only do we share a birthday, but Tambo was a true and great leader who loved the people.

“My full name is Perseverance and I will honour and live up to my name by helping to liberate the people of Mogalakwena, the Waterberg and South Africa. Amandla!”

redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za