By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality’s Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Councillor Bridgette Lebesa, has been recognised by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Working Groups for Environmental Management and Climate Resilience.
Lebesa received the award for her active participation, engagement, and attendance under the leadership of Kenalemang Phukuntsi. The acknowledgement was made during the Maluti-a-Phofung Council sitting held on 23 October at the Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Hall.
Speaking to The Guard, Councillor Lebesa expressed gratitude and surprise at the recognition.
“I wasn’t expecting this award, but I’m happy to be honoured for my participation. We were discussing critical issues around caring for the environment, especially as climate change continues to cause drastic shifts in our surroundings. The President has also signed the Climate Change Act, which we must now put into action,” she said.
On behalf of the Council, Speaker Mandlenkosi Dlamini congratulated Lebesa, noting that her recognition reflects the municipality’s renewed commitment to environmental governance.
“It is because of the affiliation fees that this administration is paying that SALGA is recognising Maluti-a-Phofung. This shows that we are on the right path when it comes to disaster management and climate change. Together we can do more,” said Dlamini.
The recently signed Climate Change Act serves as a national framework to guide South Africa’s transition toward a climate-resilient and low-carbon society.
The Act underscores the importance of municipalities playing an active role in implementing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies—making Lebesa’s recognition both timely and significant in the fight against environmental degradation.
One Response
What is there to celebrate the councillor’s events attendance when the very same Maluti A Phofung municipality is not able to assist residents when there is disaster!
It’s a shame that the poorly run and poverty strike municipality is able to pay affiliation fees to the SALGA and get praise from the Council Speaker while they fail to provide basic services to the community and also fail to pay third parties. The municipality has been turned into a family business / entity