Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

Local municipalities in Limpopo have thrown their weight behind Mopani district municipality's Humphrey Mokgobi as the best candidate to lead the South African Local Government Association (Salga) for three years.

The Limpopo Salga is to elect its new executive council today at the Ranch Hotel, near Polokwane.

About 150 mayors, managers and senior politicians from 25 local municipalities and five districts of the province have shown their support for Mokgobi to succeed Divert Monakedi.

Mokgobi is deputy chairman of Salga in Limpopo and has served in the organisation since its inception in the mid- 1990s.

"Mokgobi has demonstrated over the years that he is credible, mature, vibrant and dynamic enough to assume critical responsibilities of the organisation," said a senior Salga executive committee member who wished to remain anonymous.

Addressing the media yesterday, Monakedi said the outgoing committee has ensured that 65percent of the people in Limpopo had access to electricity and water, while 42percent have toilets of their own.

Speaking on behalf of the national Salga, executive mayor for Greater Sekhukhune municipality Dickson Masemola said the primary aim of the organisation was to support local municipalities and make sure they meet their service delivery mandate.

Salga has to ensure municipalities operate efficiently for a better life in communities they serve, he said.