Municipalities shine at SALGA Awards
LIMPOPO
The four local municipalities in the Sekhukhune region scooped major awards during the SALGA Municipal awards 2022/23 held at Fusion Boutique Hotel on Tuesday evening in Polokwane.
Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) was conferred with four awards for: 100% MIG spending, 100% spending on MIG and receiving additional allocation, unqualified audit opinion and the most improved audit performance.
“This is indicative of the hard work done by councilors and administration,” said the Mayor Eddie Maila.
Maila has expressed his appreciation for the turnaround strategy which has seen significant improvements in both governance and prudent and sound financial management at the FTLM.
He said the municipality will ensure that all conditional grants are spent to expedite service delivery in order to fight the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and social inequality.
“The ultimate objective of the FTLM is to attain Clean Audit Opinion and that is possible through collective efforts by all role players.”
He thanked the people of FTLM for supporting the institution in attaining the achievements. “It is for the first in the history of the municipality to be conferred with 4 awards for excellence and hard work. Well done to team Fetakgomo Tubatse.”
Another municipality which achieved wonders is the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM), led by Cllr Merah Masekwele Mahlase, who received multiple recognition awards.
Mahlase received four awards alongside the council Speaker, Cllr Judy Mphelane and the Municipal Manager, Ronald Maišane Moganedi who formed part of the Municipality’s delegation. Makhuduthamaga obtained and unqualified audit opinion in 2022/23, 100% MIG spending in 2022/23, spending 100% on additional MIG allocation and sustaining unqualified audit opinion for multiple years in succession
Mahlase described this as a collective and momentous achievement .
“As the municipality we dedicate this milestone as a legacy in motion and the glory which will be directed to all leaders that have been there before including the contributions that came under the leadership of former Mayor Cllr Minah Bahula who laid a solid foundation. This groundbreaking record is a reassurance that we have a potential capacity to improve the living conditions of our citizens”.
Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EMLM) under the political leadership of Mayor Given Moimana triumphed with five prestigious awards. The accolades included: 100% MIG spending and receiving additional allocation for the financial year 2022/23, spending additional MIG grants, the 2022/23 most improved audit performance, achieving an unqualified audit opinion and most notably the chairperson special award for spending 100% on additional MIG allocation.
Accompanying Moimana were council Speaker, Cllr Rebecca Lentsoane, Municipal Manager Mogobadi Moropa, CFO Thabo Modisane, and Chief Audit Executive Lina Masombuka.
“These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire workforce, who have made outstanding performance possible for the municipality. I also extend my gratitude to the PMT, Executive Committee, Council, and all stakeholders for their contributions to this remarkable achievement. The journey towards a clean audit is showing promising results,” stated the Mayor.
The fourth local municipality in the Sekhukhune District, which also excelled is the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM) under the tutelage of David Tladi. They achieved accolades for 100% MIG spending, for receiving additional MIG allocation, certificate for 100% spending of MIG and receiving additional allocation 2022/23 and also an award for third consecutive unqualified audit outcome.
“These awards serve as a testament to our commitment to being a well-governed, effectively managed, financially viable, and sustainable institution. Our dedicated staff members and public representatives deserve all the credit for these awards as it is a direct result of their diligent efforts and hard work. Without their commitment and dedication, such achievements would not have been possible,” said mayor Tladi.
He added: “our priority has always been to improve the lives of our residents by providing excellent service delivery, and we are thrilled that our efforts have been recognized by SALGA Limpopo.
“We will continue to serve our community with excellence, ensuring that we maintain our good track record of clean governance.”
In attending the event, Tladi was accompanied by the Speaker of council, Cllr Dieketseng Mashego , acting Municipal Manager Makgoke Mohlala and the newly appointed Chief Financial Officer Kgaugelo Lammy Ebeneza Hutamo.
The SALGA awards are held annually to recognise professionalism on the local government sphere, ethical and accountable leadership, and distribution of impactful developmental services to communities.
The ceremony was also attended by Limpopo MEC for Coghsta, Basikopo Makamu (who delivered an address on behalf of the Premier of Limpopo), MEC for Treasury, Seaparo Sekoati, Chairperson of SALGA in Limpopo and Polokwane Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr John Mpe, and other dignitaries.
