Exactly who is the new municipal manager of the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) and what are his qualifications that make him suitable for the job? The media were hoping to get answers to these questions during a press briefing regarding the welcoming of Mr Norman Kutama on 6 July, but this briefing was cancelled a day before taking place.
VDM spokesperson Mr Matodzi Ralushai said afterwards that the municipality acknowledged the inconvenience caused by postponement of the media conference but that the decision was due to other commitments by the municipality's executive mayor, Cllr Dowelani Nenguda, the same day.
Ralushai said that Kutama would still share his vision for the municipality at a press briefing to be scheduled later. In the meantime, Ralushai said that Kutama and Vhembe would remain committed to addressing the water challenges in the municipal area, which included the installation of smart water meters in all areas that had sufficient water supply. Ralushai also said that Louis Trichardt's water-reading system would receive attention once the Makhado West project was completed. Ralushai added that attention would subsequently be given to the revenue-collection and billing process.
As for Kutama, Ralushai said he was well known in the Vhembe community for his academic qualifications and his experience in public service. His academic achievements include a master of commerce in business management degree (NQF 9), a postgraduate diploma in marketing management (NQF 8) and a bachelor of technology in management (NQF7). He also completed a national diploma in public administration (NQF 6).
Ralushai said Kutama met the requirements of the municipal manager post as advertised. "He has served the people of Limpopo for more than 20 years in strategic senior management responsibilities. He is a committed public servant who has been part of institutional transformation and one also expects him to work very hard in providing services to the community of the Vhembe District," said Ralushai.