The Amathole District Municipality (ADM) has appointed a new municipal manager, Dr Bhekisisa Mthembu, who took office on 16 March 2023. Mthembu replaces Monwabisi Somana, who served as the head caretaker of the administrative arm of the district since November 2022.
Mthembu has a vision to turn the tide to favour good governance, stability and sound financial outputs for tangible outcomes. He said he wants to work with everyone, including the labour unions, to create systems that are working, to create synergy and ensure prosperity in the organisation that was once a beacon of hope.
The ADM is a Category C municipality situated in the central part of the Eastern Cape. It covers six local municipalities and stretches along the Sunshine Coast and the Wild Coast. It is bordered to the north by the Amathole Mountain Range.
Mthembu’s plan for ADM communities is to ensure that they are able to receive basic services such as water as per the mandate of the municipality. To do this, he has advertised for vacant directorship positions and is hopeful that a pool of capable individuals will join the team.
He also commits to an accountable and result-focused entity, with consequence management and accountability, no culture of impunity, and an audit opinion reflecting favourable outputs and tangible outcomes. He also plans to change the boardroom meetings into war-rooms from which the language spoken will be of timeframes in respect of service delivery commitments.
Article by Lemuel Mothlabane (lemuel@ournews.co.za)
Edited by Cwayita Zweni (cwayita@ounews.co.za)