SEDIBENG district municipality executive mayor Mahole Mofokeng believes his re-election is a sign that the people of the area have confidence in him

Mofokeng's first term as mayor began in the middle of December 2008. He was re-elected mayor after the recent local elections.

"This shows that I was doing something right and that the people of Sedibeng have confidence in my administration," Mofokeng says.

It has not been a smooth ride for Mofokeng, though. He points to an incident in 2003 when a rumour nearly ruined his career.

"I was accused of giving "friends of mine" a piece of land to build a mall and a golf resort, but that was purely a business decision.

"I don't regret it at all because we managed to create a lot of jobs for the people in the process," he says.

Now ensconced in his position again, Mofokeng has big plans to improve service delivery and run a clean administration.

"We intend establishing a project management team that will manage all the projects in this area.

"The aim is to make service delivery effective and to build on the existing foundation.

"We want to maintain our clean audits and good financial records," he says.

Despite this good financial state, Mofokeng believes his municipality needs more funding to execute its mandate.

"Our biggest challenge at the moment is that we do not have sufficient funds. The other challenge is to win over every single citizen of Sedibeng.

"That means going all out to taxi ranks, churches and libraries to spread the message of a single authority.

"So far it is encouraging because people are really rooting for us. That makes me want to work twice as hard so that I do not let them down," said Mofokeng.

Born on a farm in the Free State in October 1960 to Jack and Mmadisebo Mofokeng, the mayor was a late beginner at school, but being a bright learner he didn't struggle once he began.

"I only started my schooling at 11-years. Being a farm boy, I spent most of my time helping out on the farm, but I was fortunate because I had a good father.

"He would teach me how to read and write in his spare time," Mofokeng said.

"That is why I didn't have any problems when I began my schooling."

By his own admission his life could have been far different to what it is today had he only concentrated on his career away from politics.

"I have a national Diploma in Chemical Engineering and I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like had I focused on my education," he said.

But Mofokeng does not regret dedicating his life to the ANC.

He said he was humbled by the faith placed on him by the party.

"I have absolutely no regrets at all as I believe it was a calling," he said.

"My wife Mmatsie, to whom I have been married since 1983, knew I was politically active.

"That is why she did not have any problems with me focusing most of my energies on the ANC."

Mofokeng said he still had the same passion for change he did as a wide-eyed boy growing up.

"I want to create opportunities for people in this area to be able to fend for themselves instead of relying on government.

"Instead of giving them fish, let's rather show them how to fish," Mofokeng said.