Maluti-a-Phofung finally gets new MM

By Emily Setona

QWAQWA – After years of instability and a revolving door of temporary Municipal Managers (MMs), the coalition government of the Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP) Local Municipality has appointed a new Municipal Manager. This long-awaited appointment is expected to bring stability to the struggling municipality.

Advocate Motsoahae Mofokeng has been chosen to lead the municipality. According to Council Chief Whip, Moeketsi Lebesa, the council has placed their trust in Advocate Mofokeng, seeing him as the municipality’s last hope.

“We have faith in Advocate Mofokeng, which is why we worked hard to ensure his appointment by the council. He is one of the few government officials who are regularly sent to municipalities for intervention. Both Advocate Mofokeng and Mr Amos Goliath have earned national recognition for their ability to turn around ailing municipalities. He is our last hope, so when he arrives, we will make it clear to him that our last hope must not become our lost hope,” Lebesa said in a statement to the media.

Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Moshe Lefuma expressed his approval, emphasizing the importance of finally having a permanent Municipal Manager in place. “As the DA, we are highly supportive of this development. We have long advocated for stability in the municipality, and we have been pushing for the appointment of a new MM to happen without delay. Yes, there were some challenges during the selection process, but we do not believe these should prevent Maluti-a-Phofung from having an MM,” Lefuma stated.

MAP16 civic movement councillor, Paratlane Motloung, echoed the support for Mofokeng’s appointment. In an interview, Motloung explained that despite potential discrepancies in the process, the appointment was necessary.

“Our municipality has been without an MM for far too long, leading to instability. We saw how the frequent changes in MMs negatively affected the municipality. We are relieved that a permanent appointment has finally been made,” he said.

Motloung also clarified the legal aspect, noting that only the council holds the legislative authority to appoint a Municipal Manager, not ministers or MECs.Executive Mayor Malekula Melato thre her weight behind the appointment.

“When I took office, I made the appointment of an MM a top priority within my first 100 days. We needed someone with the right skills and qualifications, someone who can make decisions and implement changes that benefit the community. I’m confident Advocate Mofokeng will not disappoint.

Newly appointed Municipal Manager for Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality Advocate Motsoahae Mofokeng.

“Advocate Motsoahae Mofokeng is a well-respected figure in municipal governance, known for his expertise in turning around failing municipalities. He has been involved in several high-profile interventions, where his leadership helped stabilize and improve administrative functions. Mofokeng holds extensive qualifications in law and public administration, and his reputation as a problem-solver has made him a go-to figure for government officials seeking to restore order in distressed municipalities.

His experience includes not only managing day-to-day municipal operations but also navigating complex legal and financial challenges. His appointment at Maluti-a-Phofung comes with high expectations, as he is seen as the person capable of bringing much-needed stability and progress to the municipality.