Parks Sebatjane ‘walks the talk’

MOKOPANE – Parks Sebatjane handed over the reigns as Mayor of Mogalakwena Municpality to Andrina Matsemela reently.

As the Mayor you are seen as the ‘father’ of thousands of residents. How does it feel to be held responsible for so many people?

It was a privilege and an honour to have served the people of Mogalakwena. Yes, we have faced numerous challenges, but every time we as the Municipality overcame a challenge and I witnessed the smile on the faces of the residents, it made the challenge worthwhile.

I have always said that the people of Mogalakwena come first. During the recent troubles at the municipality my biggest concern was the fact that we were not able to serve the people. I thank the ANC for the opportunity and I thank the people of Mogalakwena for their support, it was a true privilege.

What is your fondest memory as Mayor?

I will treasure numerous fond memories. As I have mentioned every time we overcame a challenge and the residents were benefited, I was satisfied.

After 11 years the residents of Mzomabane Village will soon have electricity and basic service delivery, through hard work and working together we as a municipality made that happen.

We heard the pleas for water in Marulaneng and even though there is still a need for water due to the drought, we are working tirelessly to attend to all of the communities’ needs.

I will treasure every smile we received when we were able to help lighten the burden of the people of Mogalakwena.

What was some of the biggest challenges you faced?

Some of the biggest trials and tribulations we face is the dire need of water in numerous villages due to the biggest drought the country is facing in more than 25 years.

The staggering number of unemployment and the negative and troubling effect it has on the youth and women are also alarming.

And working as council without the full complement of senior management such at the Chief Financial Officer, Municipal Manger, Technical Manager, Manager of Corporate Services and the Manager of Development Planning, was also a challenge as it has weakened the administrative capacity of the council.

What will you miss the most after handing over the reins to Andrina?

I am going to miss the interaction with the people, but I will still continue to serve in a certain capacity.

I wish Andrina all the best and I strongly believe that we should give women an opportunity to show what they can bring to the table and we should support them.

What advice would you give Andrina?

As we both come from the ANC we prefer to whisper our advice to one another and we will continue to do so as we believe in a collective leadership.

What is your hope for the future of Mogalakwena?

I hope for stability within the municipality, but the robustness of democracy should remain.

I hope for economic growth that will bring forth opportunities for small business to thrive and that will create even more job opportunities.

What does your next chapter hold?

I hope that in my next chapter I will also be able to serve our people, but at the same time I look forward to spending more time with my lovely family, especially my 7-year-old daughter Morongoa. “Morongoa means angel and to me she is my angel,” Sebatjane said with a smile.

In your opinion what is the characteristics of a great leader?

A leader should be humble, selfless, assertive and able to work as a collective.

Do you have a quote that inspires you?

“For everything there is a reason.”

Mayor Sebatjane’s last words of wisdom to the residents of Mogalakwena are: “Believe in the institution, always contribute to the development of the Municipality.

Hold the elected public representative’s accountable and support them when they are doing well.”

There is a saying that reads, a good leader, ‘walks the talk’ and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others.

Mayor Sebatjane is a man that always walked the talk and therefore he is greatly respected by the residents and his co-workers.

redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za