SASOLBURG, FREE STATE — Lentswe La Setjhaba is spearheading a push for a total council overhaul in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality, positioning itself as a critical alternative ahead of the November 4 local government elections. The movement argues that the largest municipality in the Fezile Dabi district is currently engulfed by a severe capacity crisis, necessitating the immediate installation of qualified professionals to run municipal affairs.
Victor Nyembe, Leader of Lentswe La Setjhaba, stated that the movement’s primary objective for contesting the forthcoming elections is to bring tangible change and critical capacity to the community. He highlighted a glaring educational deficit within the current council, noting that 86% of sitting councillors do not possess a matric certificate.
Nyembe warned that this high level of illiteracy poses a serious risk to the municipality, particularly because councillors are inherently policymakers and the highest decision-making body in local government. By fielding qualified professionals, the movement aims to rectify this structural vulnerability and ensure competent governance in the hotly contested region.
Providing context to this push for professionalization, Bloemfontein-based political analyst Prof Sethulego Matebesi noted that it is highly telling to see such a large number of civic organizations emerging in one particular district like Fezile Dabi. He explained that in a complex and heavily contested area like Metsimaholo, the consequences of specialized civic groups targeting specific governance failures—such as the lack of basic educational qualifications among lawmakers—could drastically disrupt the traditional political status quo.
