Picture: Ramotshere-Moiloa Local Municipality mayor, Lerato Selebogo
By OBAKENG MAJE
Women continue to play pivotal roles within the society as they possess efficient skills and they are primarily recognised in various fields as they render their participation in an effectual manner.
It has long been correctly assumed that women’s feminine values would contribute positively in the masculine, hierarchical world of politics and this was proven to be true in 1956 when more than 20 000 women staged a march at the Union Building in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments that required African persons to carry the pass.
Fast-forward, the initiative inspired women such as the newly-appointed mayor of Ramotshere-Moiloa Local Municipality, Lerato Selebogo. A 32-year-old politician showed her pedigree through the years in politics and brings values of fairness, inclusion, flexibility, collaboration, persuasiveness, and empathy into a patriarchal political world.
“I am so grateful to be given such a big responsibility. I envisage more improvements in service delivery. Even though our municipality is rural and relied heavily on conditional grants, we will continue to serve our people with pride.
“We understand that there are some challenges at the municipality, but we cannot look away. The municipal council engaged in a meeting recently and resolved to implement Batho Pele principle. The municipality managed to resolve its non-payment of electricity with the power utility, Eskom.
“We understand the frustration our people were subjected to. However, we can assure them that what happened will never ever be repeated again. In 2016, when we ascended to the office as councillors, we realised that the municipality owes Eskom the amount of R95 million and we derived a plan as the council to pay off that debt,” she said.
Selebogo further said the municipality failed to pay Eskom recently because of some challenges, but that has since been resolved. She said they have engaged with the National Treasury and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in order to pay Eskom.
“We had a virtual meeting with Eskom and agreed to pay them R1.5 million which we did. They gave us a grace period until 29 July 2020. We approached the national treasury to get our equitable share because the municipality did not pay salaries of employees too. So, we prioritise Eskom and the money was paid after we interacted with the Ngaka Modiri Molema District municipality and the National Treasury.
“I am going to ensure that I receive the Section 17 report which comprises of the municipal budget. Consequence management will be applied if there is misappropriation of funds and ensure that we hold our officials accountable. We have more projects in the pipeline and we will be implementing them according to IDP even though the municipality has no money,” said Selebogo.
She said mostly communities complain about basic services like provision of water, sanitation, lack of accessible roads, and high-mask lights. Selebogo added that these were genuine issues and they will prioritise them.
Selebogo’s political career and her upbringing
Selebogo said she did not enjoy her childhood because of some hardships in her upbringing. She said growing up from a poverty-stricken family was not easy.
“I was born and raised in Dinokana village in Zeerust. Even though my upbringing was like any other child, I experienced some difficulties and did not enjoy my childhood. My father was a miner at Impala in Rustenburg and that caused us to move from one place to another.
“I was also subjected to abuse, but that will be a topic for another day. My parents separated when I was only 11 months old and I was raised by my grandmother from my father’s side,” said Selebogo.
She went to Rustenburg after finishing her matric to look for a job. However, fate forced her back home after a year to take care of her sick grandmother.
“I had to be there for her and my child including everybody else. However, I told myself that this is not the end of the world and I soldiered on. I remember I once received a scholarship in Johannesburg to further my studies, but I could not go because I had no money for transportation and accommodation.
“It was heartbreaking, but I never lost hope because God always has a plan for our lives. I went to register for an office administration course at Taletso TVET College in quest of furthering my studies. My sick grandmother was so happy after I was accepted, unfortunately she passed away a few days after that,” she said.
Selebogo was forced to drop out of college after a year because of politics and lack of funds. Buoyed Selebogo said she was sitting at home one day and decided to do introspection.
“I mulled about my future and realised that it was unnecessary to keep on complaining. The negative energy brings a bad omen. I told myself that I am going to be the change that I was looking for.
“I had a dream of registering a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) to assist those who are in needy. So, I approached a few of my friends and shared the idea. I was happy when my dream came into reality. We formed the Hope For The Need organisation and approached local businesses for assistance,” Selebogo said.
They started to donate foods and clothes to the deprived even though it was difficult. She said her team comprised of twelve unemployed youth who had the same vision.
“I started to develop an interest in politics back in 2011 after I was introduced by my fellow comrade, Tshegofatso Mothupi. I was so grateful to meet remarkable women in my political journey such as Audrey Magagane and Thandi Modise. They showed pedigree and stewardship in politics, so I was inspired.
“To women, please do not limit yourselves and stop depending on men. There are so many opportunities available for you to explore and that will enable us to overcome many barriers. I have learned that when women are performing various types of roles, they ensure that they work effectively towards promoting the well-being of their family and community,” said Selebogo.
She also urges the society to continue a fight against the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The Guardian 