By OBAKENG MAJE
The newly-elected mayor of the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Tumisang ‘Daddy’ Gaoraelwe (40) said he is meticulously prepared to ‘steer’ the municipality to the right direction. Gaoraelwe was sworn-in as the new mayor during the municipal council inauguration meeting at Sebitlwane Special School in Lokaleng village near Taung on Monday.
“I am grateful to be elected as the new mayor. It is our aim as the new cohort to play a crucial role in ensuring that we implement laws and policies that can greatly impact on how the municipality is run.
“So, as a political head, I believe this position can be both challenging and rewarding but requires an individual who is vigorously prepared for all what a political life entails. I believe I was born with the zeal of activism in me,” he said.
Buoyed Gaoraelwe who joined politics 16 years ago, said he equally grasped his enthusiasm to become a politician from his late brother, Goitseone Christopher “Jukie” Gaoraelwe who was a member of ANC MK (ANC military wing).
Jukie Gaoraelwe went to exile in 1989 and trained in Tanzania until he lost his life in 1995 back in South Africa.
“So, ordinarily, someone in the family had to take the baton. I started participating in politics during the time of “The downfall of Bophuthatswana ” era. I was only doing standard 6 at Olihile Mancwe Middle School in Pampierstad Township, which falls under the Northern Cape Province now.
“Due to the political milieu of the time, there was a student revolt and we were roped-in by older students to join the Congress of South African Student (COSAS),” said Gaoraelwe.
He further said they were given the understanding that all sectors of the community including political youth formations have to play part in the political transition, which was the national agenda at the time.
A political activist, an academic, a creative artist at heart and a father of four said, he is a proud member of the ruling party and dedicated his life to fight for the cause.
“I am the 10th child and last born in the family. I am the proud son of Kelebilemang Iris Gaoraelwe (Mankuroane-Maiden Surname) and Kgomotso Albert Gaoraelwe. I have occupied various leadership positions within the ANC and outside.
“It gives me a great pleasure and privilege to have been chosen among many by my organisation to lead the municipality. However, as I ascend to this position, I am deployed by the ruling party to ensure that we unite all people of South Africa, Africans in particular, for the complete liberation of the country,” said Gaoraelwe.
He said under his stewardship, he will ensure that people are in charge of their developmental aspirations. Gaoraelwe said the ‘plan of action’ for any municipality is the five year strategic document called the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) that is informed by the Community Based Planning (CBP), which is the communities consolidated priorities in regard to development.
Gaoraelwe’s Academic Qualifications
Honours Degree in Public Administration (Mancosa 2021)
B.A Degree in Conservation Tourism and Sustainable Development (2010 NWU)
Higher Certificate in Local Government (2018)
Matric (Batlhaping High School-Taung 1998)
Political career
| 2021 – To Date | Ward-11 ANC IBC Coordinator |
| 2018 | ANC RSM member of the REC and RWC |
| 2019 – 2021 | Ward-11 ANC Branch Chairperson |
| 2016 – 2018 | Ward-11 ANC Branch Secretary |
| 2016 | Ward-11 ANC Branch Elections Coordinator |
| 2014 – 2018 | Ward-11 ANC Branch Deputy Secretary |
| 2009 – 2010 | North West University SRC Member (EX Officio) |
| 2008 – 2009 | North West University Chairperson of Cultural Union |
| 2006-2007 | Member of FAWU Tiger Milling Branch (Randfontein) |
| 2007 – 2010 | Member of SASCO NWU (Mafikeng Campus) |
The Guardian 
Congratulations to mr Gaoraelwe on his new appointment as our mayor, hope you will fight for our development in our municipality, bringing some changes,eg, roads RDP’s and creating employment
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