Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) Peter Mokaba region in Limpopo and former Capricorn region mayor, John Mpe, was sworn in as Polokwane mayor unopposed today.

Mpe replaces Thembi Nkadimeng who resigned last month after her appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa as Deputy Minister of Co-operative and Traditional Affairs. He was officially elected as the ANC candidate following a recommendation made by the Regional Executive Committee (REC) back in August that was approved by the National Executive Committee.

“I’m humbled by council to vote me in as mayor of the number one City in the province. I hope there is a willingness to work together from the opposition. Polokwane remains the only hope to become the first metro in the province,” said John Mpe. He resigned as district mayor on Tuesday after leading it for five years, tipped to replace him there is Polokwane current chief whip Mamodupi Teffo.

Moreover, he added that under his leadership he will prioritize skill development. He went on to congratulate Nkadimeng on her deployment to national government. “Nkadimeng is no stranger to cooperative governance given her track record in local government and having worked successfully with varied stakeholders as both the Executive Mayor and the President of SALGA. CDM therefore believes that her leadership and passion for service delivery and good governance has adequately prepared her for the new role and we have no doubt that she will be a great addition to the National Executive,” Mpe said on his statement.