MUNICIPAL
NEWS ELIAS MOTSOALEDI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY A historical heritage, with promising economic potential for the rights of workers. Motsoaledi played a central role in many campaigns including the Defiance Campaign of 1952.
Executive Mayor: Cllr David Tladi
Elias Motsoaledi, a local municipality located about 206 kms North East of Johannesburg in the heart of Limpopo Province, has a rich historical heritage with promising economic potential. Formerly known as Greater Groblersdal Local Municipality, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM), was established in 2000 as a category B municipality, in accordance with the Municipality Structures Act no 117 of 1998. The municipality, with a population of about 268 256 and 30 wards, has a fascinating history and was named after the late veteran trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist Elias Motsoaledi. Born on the 26th of July 1924 in Nebo Sekhukhune Land, Motsoaledi came to Johannesburg at the age of 17 in search of employment. Upon his arrival he helped establish the South African Congress of Trade Unions to fight
70
Municipal Focus
For his activism, Motsoaledi paid a price. Several times Motsoaledi was in and out of prison, expelled from work in the leather industry, and banned from taking any active role in worker unionism. He was detained in terms of the 1960 State of Emergency and imprisoned for four months. On his release, he went underground and served on the Johannesburg Regional Umkhonto we Sizwe. He was arrested in 1963, and as one of the Rivonia Trialists, Motsoaledi was sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island, a sentence he served until his release in 1989, after serving 26 years behind bars. On his release, he was elected to the National Executive Committee of the ANC. Isitwalandwe - “the one who wears the plumes of the rare bird” On 8 January 1992 together with Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Helen Joseph, Ahmed Kathrada, Harry Gwala, Andrew Mlangeni, Raymond Mhlaba and Wilton Mkwayi, received an Isitwalandwe Medal. This award is the highest award given by the African National Congress (ANC) “to those who have made an outstanding contribution and sacrifice to the liberation struggle”, that is, those who resisted the apartheid regime in South Africa (1949−1991). He sadly passed away on the day of the inauguration of the first
democratic president of South Africa, his fellow Rivonia Trialist and Robben Island prisoner, Dr Nelson Mandela. The new Mayor, Magetle David Tladi, elected late last year during the local government elections on an African National Congress (ANC) ticket, in his inaugural speech expressed commitment to work with everyone for the realisation of the aspirations and interests of the community. He made an undertaking to address basic service delivery and to improve the quality of life for residents. He swore to fulfil the municipality’s vision “to ensure the provision of sustainable services, to deepen democracy through public participation and communication, provision of services in a transparent, fair and accountable manner, provide public value for money and create a conducive environment for job creation and economic growth.” In its quest to improve the quality of life of its residents the municipality has launched a series of programmes. Determined to be the leader in quality service delivery, the municipality is active in programmes such as upgrading and construction of roads and storm water control, electrification of households of high mast lights, refuse collection and waste management, water and sanitation, recreational facilities, educational facilities, health and welfare facilities, public transportation facilities, upgrading of cemeteries,
