Ms Faith Muthambi will once again be the municipal manager of the Makhado Municipality for the next five years.

According to the official spokesperson, Mr Louis Bobodi, Council took a resolution on October 25 that Ms Muthambi’s contract be renewed for another five years. Her contract expires in February next year.

Unfortunately, Ms Muthambi was not available for an interview, since she was attending a course in Johannesburg. Questions sent per SMS on November 20 have not been answered, but the municipal manager sent a message through Mr Bobodi that she would be available on the 23rd.

The four posts of her directors whose contracts have also expired and will expire, including the Director of Community Services, Corporate Services and Special Projects, have been advertised and the short-listing of the relevant candidates is scheduled for this week.

"The short-listing panel, which is comprised of the relevant sector departments, namely the Provincial Treasury, Local Government and housing, SALGA and the office of the Premier, will shortlist the relevant candidates on November 21 and the interviews for the positions ... will take place on November 28," Bobodi said.

Two of the former directors, Messrs Masindi Mapholi and Peter Magwala, left at the end of August when their contracts expired and the remaining two, Messrs Vic Viljoen and Dan Masengana, leave at the end of November. All the directors could apply for their positions and rumour would have it that some of them were shortlisted.

Directors should "provide effective, transparent, accountable and coherent corporate governance and conduct effective oversight of the affairs of the municipal entity" and they must have the "requisite range of expertise to effectively manage and guide the activities of the municipal entity" reads the Municipal Systems Amendment Bill.

The local municipal manager has an extended list of responsibilities, according to the thulamela.limpopo.gov.za website. The municipal manager is also the accounting officer. The responsibilities include:

* The formation and development of an economical, effective, efficient and accountable administration which is responsive to the needs of the community.

* The management of the provision of services to the local community in a sustainable and equitable manner, and

*Advising the political structures and political office bearers of the municipality.

*As accounting officer of the municipality, the municipal manager is responsible and accountable for all income and expenditure of the municipality, all assets and the discharge of all liabilities of the municipality and proper and diligent compliance with applicable municipal finance management legislation.