MAYOR MPE AND MEC LERULE-RAMAKHANYA UNITE TO FAST-TRACK SCHOOLS IN POLOKWANE

“No learner left behind” — Municipal and Provincial leadership commit to speed up infrastructure delivery

Executive Mayor Cllr Makoro John Mpe and Limpopo MEC for Education Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya during a strategic meeting to fast-track school infrastructure. The trio committed to speed, efficiency and accountability to ensure no learner is left behind.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.  

AZANIAFROCOMEDIA – The Catalyst of Impact

POLOKWANE – Recently, the timeless African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” came alive in Polokwane. 

Polokwane Municipality and the Limpopo Department of Education strengthened their partnership to ensure that learners across the municipality have access to quality education infrastructure.

At the center of this commitment was decisive leadership from Executive Mayor Cllr Makoro John Mpe working hand in hand with Limpopo MEC for Education Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya and City Manager Thuso Nemugumoni.

The strategic engagement was convened at the request of the MEC and brought together key leadership. Seated at the table were the MMC for Local Economic Development, Land Use and Spatial Planning Cllr Puleng Mashangoane, City Manager Thuso Nemugumoni and senior municipal and departmental officials. The message was clear and united: the time for delays is over.

Executive Mayor Mpe directed the municipal administration to expedite all matters within the Municipality’s responsibility that have hindered the smooth implementation and completion of education infrastructure projects. 

“Government works best when it works together,” Mayor Mpe said. He urged officials to move with speed, efficiency and accountability to ensure that no learner is left waiting for the infrastructure and services they deserve.

For the Executive Mayor, this meeting was about protecting the future of Polokwane’s children. Every delayed classroom, every incomplete school facility and every stalled project represents opportunities deferred for young people. Under his leadership, the municipality is choosing action.

Backing the Mayor’s directive was City Manager Thuso Nemugumoni. As the head of administration, he committed that his team will prioritize all municipal processes linked to school projects. 

The presence of the City Manager at the high-level meeting signals that this is not just political talk. It is an operational instruction. Technical teams will now be expected to cut red tape and deliver.

MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya welcomed the Mayor and City Manager’s stance. She announced that she and the Executive Mayor will hold regular high-level engagements to monitor progress. Technical teams from both institutions will also meet consistently to implement agreed interventions and keep projects on track.

The photographs captured the spirit of the day. Mayor Mpe, MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya and City Manager Nemugumoni seated together, engaged and focused. It was provincial and local government aligned for one purpose: our children.

The meeting was about laying the foundation for brighter futures. New schools are earmarked to be built across the City including a primary school in Fauna Park and Bendor and a secondary school in the Extensions.

These projects will ease overcrowding, reduce travel time for learners and create jobs during construction. Recognising what is at stake, both the Municipality and the Department committed themselves to removing all obstacles standing in the way of progress.

This is leadership that delivers. By bringing the MEC, Mayor and City Manager to one table, Polokwane has ensured that education infrastructure has political will and administrative muscle behind it.

From winning the global GIS Award to now unlocking schools, Polokwane under Mayor Mpe is proving that a Naturally Progressive city puts people first.

Polokwane, the Department of Education, the Mayor and the City Manager have joined hands. Now, the work begins.

Leadership in action. From left: City Manager Thuso Nemugumoni, Executive Mayor Cllr Makoro John Mpe and MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya. The meeting resolved to expedite approvals for new schools in Fauna Park, Bendor and the Extensions.