The ANC in the Free State has come to the defence of Matjhabeng mayoral-elect Thanduxolo Khalipha and credited him with “strategic leadership” skills amid allegations that he did not qualify to be mayor as he allegedly did not possess a matric qualification.
This comes after the full report of the interview process of mayoral candidates from municipalities in the province was leaked on social media before it was formally given to lower structures yesterday, with Khalipha edging the two candidates he was nominated with for Matjhabeng.
In its remarks, the report of the interview panel indicated that Khalipha, a former ANC MP, had “demonstrated an understanding of the municipality and had necessary maturity and vision to lead the municipality”.
Matjhabeng, which includes mining towns Welkom and Virginia, is among the Free State’s struggling municipalities which have over the years been plagued by financial instability and service delivery collapse.
Ahead of the recent municipal elections, the ANC committed as it visited some of the most troubled municipalities that it would implement its decision and only select the most suitably qualified from its ranks to lead the local government.
On Wednesday, ANC provincial spokesperson Oupa Khoabane, however, said the party was happy with Khalipha leading the embattled municipality even though his qualifications were not in line with what the ANC wanted.
Khoabane said Khalipha possessed enough experience and other leadership qualities.
“What counts most is strategic leadership in the institution. We are comfortable with his leadership as the ANC. Even the panel sees him as the person best placed to lead,” he said.
Asked if this was not a clear departure of the ANC’s commitment on the qualification requirements of its candidates, Khoabane insisted that “the issue of qualifications is just one of them, and it counts about five marks during interviews”.
“If the panel, through the interview, can get impressed with the vision he is having, especially in relation to challenges that the institution is battling with, I think that is sufficient. The panel came from head office and it rejected candidates with certain qualifications because maybe they did not have a vision and clear understanding of what has to be achieved,” Khoabane said.
Khoabane said the party would mitigate Khalipha’s alleged academic shortcomings by appointing people to lead alongside him to address the service delivery crisis in Matjhabeng.
“The next step is to ensure who are those he will work with that must assist him to achieve what we want,” he said.
Khalipha had not responded to questions by the time of publishing.
In Tokologo municipality, all the nominated candidates were rejected by the interviewing panel, with the remarks only indicating that they were “not appointable as mayor”.
Meanwhile, in other provinces including the Eastern Cape, mayoral, speaker and councillor candidates have been sent packing by the ANC and forced to provide proof of their qualifications before they are interviewed for the positions.
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