The Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, said municipal councillors are not elected to fulfil their personal agendas, but to serve people with dedication, persistence and distinction. This was during the inauguration of the 22 members of the Mutale Municipalit Council at the Mutale Traffic College last Friday evening.

Farisani said people of Mutale should not look down upon themselves because they have played a major role in the struggle for freedom in South Africa. “The fact that Mutale is one of the smallest Municipalities in the country does not necessarily mean that you have not contributed to the foundation of freedom of this country. It is because of freedom that this council was elected by the people out there. Democracy is all about choosing our own leaders who we feel will represent us well. Although this council is legally constituted, people have rights to vote you out if you are not doing what they elected you for. You must distance yourselves from corruption, fraud, favouritism and other unbecoming acts that degrade the image of your municipality.”

Farisani said the natural resources at Mutale were used as a strong base for freedom. “Freedom fighters took cover in mountains at Thengwe, Rammbuda, Tshamutanzhela, Makavhini, Madimbo, Masisi, to name but a few. Some of our brothers were ambushed by the apartheid forces and died in those mountains, but we can see the fruits of their hard labour, because we are free today.”

He encouraged council members to work with dedication and to stop pointing fingers at each other. “Learn to accept constructive criticism. Political difference does not constitute enmity. We need to learn to work together although we are affiliated to different political organizations…”

The Mayor of Mutale Municipality, Cllr Lucas Manyuha, expressed his gratitude to the people of Mutale for displaying their trust in the elected councillors. He said the council will continue to work hard with the business sector, civic structures, traditional leaders, churches and other stakeholders, to make Mutale a better place to stay and invest.

Also present during the function were the Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Irene Mutsila, Mayor Thivhulawi Makumbane of the Thulamela Municipality, Mayor Caroline Mahasela (Musina Municipality) and Mayor Glory Mashaba of the Makhado Municipality.