MLM welcomes the appointment of new senior managers

JANE FURSE – During its special meeting on Monday, 4 March, the council of Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM) appointed two senior managers to effectively distribute services and implement programmes curtailed to improve lives of people.

The council unreservedly agreed to appoint Nosipho Bridgette Lubisi as Senior Manager for Infrastructure Services (IS) and Ntshwane Walter Phala as Senior Manager for Economic Development and Planning (EDP).

According to the municipality, the vacancies were created just a few months ago following completion of a five-year term for the EDP senior manager and the subsequent resignation of the then IS senior manager.

Lubisi has enormous proven experience in civil engineering and project management for over 10 years. She joined MLM’s IS division in its project management unit as a technician in 2013. After serving for years, Lubisi was entrusted with bigger responsibilities in the same department as a manager.

She holds a Tshwane University of Technology B-Tech Degree in Urban Engineering, MANCOSA Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management and is currently enrolled with the University of South Africa for a Bachelor’s Degree in LLB, in her final year.

Phala is a remarkable administrator with rich experience and footprint of over 14 years in local government. He joined the local municipality with cutting-edge expertise in the running of government. His managerial capacity was developed through various ranks including Acting Chief Financial Officer for quite some time, holding the position of Senior Manager Development, Planning and Local Economic Development. He also led administration as the Municipal Manager of Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality.

Phala, an academic of note, holds a Master of Science in Development Planning from the University of Witwatersrand including a University of Venda Bachelor of Administration, a Local Economic Development Management Programme and a Presidential Strategic Leadership Development Programme.

Thomas Mashabela, MLM Acting Communications Manager, informed that the council has also welcomed the deployment of Councillor Dineo Moshabane as Portfolio Committee Chairperson for Cooperate Services.

Mayor Merah Mahlase and the council collective applauded the new appointments and appreciated the support received from all stakeholders and role players who contributed to recruiting the suitable candidates.

Mahlase said, “These recruitment outcomes are a breakthrough for the municipality and a chance to navigate the ship in the right direction, particularly around social, economic and infrastructure development projects and initiatives. With the maximum support from council and the executive, we can develop the municipality even further, to benefit our communities.”