The Greater Giyani Municipality has appointed a new chief financial officer (CFO), Ms Masindi Raliphada (35) from Sinthumule, who previously worked at the Office of the Auditor-General. The appointment became effective on 1 February.
Raliphada matriculated at Sinthumule High School and brings extensive experience from her previous roles at SANBI and the Auditor-General of South Africa, where she held senior audit and executive positions. Her expertise spans national, provincial and local government audits, as well as the private sector.
The municipality expressed confidence that her appointment will strengthen financial governance and support efforts to achieve a clean audit opinion. Raliphada is the fourth woman to join the municipality’s senior management team.
However, her appointment has not been without controversy. Some Tsonga-speaking residents questioned why a Venda-speaking person was appointed to the position in Giyani.
Mayor Thandi Zitha congratulated Raliphada on behalf of the council, welcoming her expertise and leadership. Zitha said the process had been finalised and the best candidate appointed. “She will be the right person and will be able to improve on the Auditor-General’s opinion of the financial matters of the municipality,” Zitha said.
Addressing concerns about Raliphada’s Venda background, Zitha added: “When appointing the CFO, we followed the normal job advertising procedure. We must never ever make room for tribalism or tribal remarks in our areas.”
Raliphada said she was ready for an exciting journey and happy to be part of the municipal family. “I’m here to advance the municipality’s primary objective of delivering efficient services. This will be achieved by means of teamwork, dedication and cooperation with various organs and stakeholders of the municipality,” she said.
She concluded by saying she would carry out her work to the best of her ability with a positive attitude. “I am looking forward to building a strong reputation at the municipality in relation to financial management,” Raliphada said.