[VIDEO] Mpe to lead, says ANC
John Mpe was officially elected as the ANC's mayoral candidate following a recommendation made by the Regional Executive Committee.
POLOKWANE – All indications are that ANC councillor and former Capricorn District Municipality Mayor, John Mpe will take over the rein as the city’s first citizen.
Mpe was announced as the ANC’s mayoral candidate and is set to replace outgoing Polokwane Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng who was recently redeployed as the Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).
Mpe was officially elected as the ANC candidate following a recommendation made by the Regional Executive Committee (REC) on August 11 that was approved by the Provincial Executive Committee and the National Executive Committee.
Mpe served as the Mayor of the Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) since August 2016 and he attended his last CDM council meeting on Tuesday morning before announcing his resignation.
The meeting was characterised by praises and ululations after Mpe’s announced that he will hand over the office to a new executive mayor after serving CDM for a term of five years.
“I stand before you as I hereby do, proud to have served a term that was based on vision and commitment to bring about a better life to our people. At the same time it is indeed sad that I depart a council through which many milestones were achieved to free our people out of the morass of poverty,” he remarked in his speech.
Mpe thanked all councillors, the mayoral committee and the administration “for embracing the vision that we had in 2016 to serve our people and deliver”, adding that he would not be lost to CDM.
“With this departure, I am not cutting ties with this municipality; we will continue to work together and share expertise and experiences in preparing for the next terms of all councils in this region and accept the next mandate as a collective,” Mpe said.
He said that he is convinced that the new incumbent will pick up the baton and the run to the finishing line.
“I depart this council a proud man and I wish the incoming mayor and this council all the best for the future”, he concluded.
In reply to the announcement, speaker after speaker conveyed praise and words of thanks for Mpe’s service and track record and there was no doubt about the recognition of Mpe’s inspiring leadership.
The EFF, as the official opposition in the council, welcomed the announcement and thanked Mpe for all the milestones achieved under his leadership. The representation of the DA also expressed their well wishes.
The Chairperson of the Capricorn House of Traditional Leadership, Kgoshi Maleboho praised Mpe for taking his responsibilities seriously and the significant strides made during his tenure. “His track record speaks volumes about his commitment and work ethic,” Kgoshi Maleboho said.
Mpe did not disclose further details of what the future holds.
CDM Speaker Monica Mohale confirmed that a special council meeting will be held to elect Mpe’s successor by secret vote. In the interim, one of the members of the mayoral committee will act as executive mayor.
Mpe was sworn in as mayor at a special council sitting earlier today (September 3):
