Lentswe, Klerksdorp - Matlosana Speaker, Stella Mondlane-Ngwenya is nominated for a Pan-African Local Leadership Excellence Award. The prize giving will take place in Dakar, Senegal in November and she will need to attend if she is one of the top 3 finalists. Voting closes on October 10. The city council already approved to pay for her travel and accommodation should she be in the top 3. But, says Cllr Inge Wilken, why does the city need to pay for these expenses? “Surely she can fund it from her own pocket? The municipality is struggling to pay creditors, settle mounting debt, and restore even the most basic services to residents.’’
The Excellence Awards, organised by IOPD Africa in partnership with the African Union Commission, aim to recognise innovation in local governance. The Speaker has been shortlisted in the category of Inclusion, Equality, and Equity.
“However, prestige cannot take priority over service delivery. Recognition of good practice must be earned through tangible improvements in residents’ daily lives, not celebrated with taxpayer-funded trips abroad. If the Speaker wishes to attend, it must be at her own expense or through external sponsorship and not through public funds,’’ said Cllr Wilken.
