The MEC for Human Settlements in the North West Nono Maloyi welcomed Ms. Kgomotso Mahlobo who has been appointed as the head of department during a senior management meeting held in Mafikeng recently. Mahlobo’s appointment comes after 17 months since the post remained vacant after the substantive HoD’s contract ended. However, the Province appointed Mr. James Mashigo to hold the fort as an acting HoD for the duration whilst necessary recruitment processes where unfolding.

Welcoming Mahlobo, MEC Maloyi called on officials within the department to work with the newly appointed HOD, “The appointment of Ms Mahlobo bring in stability and further fast track our mandate of delivering houses across the province of the North West. We only have few month before the end of the 6th administration, therefore we must double our efforts to ensure that we deliver on our mandate. I have confidence in Ms Mahlobo and I hope the team will work very closely with dedication and determination with her in achieving the departmental mandate,” said Maloyi.

Maloyi further expressed his gratitude to the outgoing acting HoD Mr Mashigo for serving the department to the best of his ability.  

Ms Mahlobo boasts a wealth of experience and knowledge and innovation in the Human Settlements fraternity as she has been in the local government and human settlements space for many years, and is confident that she is joining a great team that will fast track service delivery in general and further ensure that the department deliver on its mandate.

She is also not a newcomer to the team as she has been a general manager property development and management at the North West Housing Corporation, which is an agency of the department. “My number one focus is to make sure that we tackle all the incomplete projects and other backlogs first. The narrative and perceptions on our province has to change for the better. Our plans must fit purpose to ensure that we eliminate such challenges and deliver quality and habitable houses to the people of the North West,” said Mahlobo.

Mahlobo expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm to start implementing the ideas she has in moving the department forward. “I am glad to be joining this winning team. And I believe with the little experience that I have coming back to the department that I worked for about 26 years ago, I believe I have something that I can share with you, and I am looking forward to working closely with the team,” she said 

The outgoing acting HOD Mr James Mashigo welcomed and congratulated Ms Mahlobo and extended his gratitude for the opportunity he has been granted to serve as the acting HOD for Human Settlements for the past 17 months. “I want to thank the team. We had our way of dealing with issues and prescripts, we differed with the intention of making the department deliver on its mandate. We did our best to make sure we become as professional as possible,” concluded Mashigo.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.