9 July 2007
The late Mayor of Mamusa Local Municipality, Councillor Deliwe Primrose
Chope was laid to rest at Schweitzer-Reneke Cemetery on Sunday after an
emotional funeral service held at Ipelegeng Stadium on Sunday.
A Special Council Sitting that declared the position of Mayor in the
municipality vacant preceded the civic service that was attended by thousands
and was graced by amongst other the Premier Edna Molewa, MECs, District and
Local Executive Mayors and Mayors.
In paying tribute to Chope's contribution, various speakers hailed Chope a
good shepherd, a humble lady, a mother with boundless energy and a champion of
her people. Premier Molewa described her as a mother, an educator, a unifier
and a brave woman who traversed trying moments after accepting her
responsibility as the Mayor of Mamusa Local Municipality.
"Her dedication and focus were astounding features in her endeavour to
better the lives of the communities of her municipality. Her strategic
relations with all the stakeholders of the municipality cannot be left without
recognition. As a female mayor, she demonstrated that indeed, women in South
Africa have a role to play in social transformation, politics and leadership in
general .The Mayor was rarely inactive. Her dedication to serving the community
of Mamusa was indicative that she was a force to be reckoned with," said
Molewa.
In his speech, the Executive Mayor of Merafong Local Municipality and
Chairperson of the Provincial Chapter of South African Local Government
Association (Salga), Councillor Des Van Rooyen also saluted Chope for taking on
the benefits of Project Consolidate to turn around the incapacity challenges
the municipality faced. Van Rooyen was candid on the role played by the late
Mayor in ensuring that service delivery targets were realised as per the
municipal Integrated Development Plans (IDP).
The message of condolence from the MEC for Developmental Local Government
and Housing, Howard Yawa also described the late Mayor as a selfless leader and
humble servant who championed the causes of the Ipelegeng community and brought
political and administrative stability to the Mamusa Local Municipality through
her leadership.
Under Chope's leadership, Mamusa local municipality registered a 90%
progress towards implementation of the bucket eradication programme and is on
target to meet the December 2007 deadline. To reduce housing backlog, the
municipality has also commenced with a housing project for fifty housing units
at Nooitgedacht.
The 38 years old Chope was a former educator and Regional Executive Member
of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), a Provincial Executive
Member of the ANC Women's League, a member of South African Women Network
(SAWEN) and South African Women in Mining (SAWIMA).She is survived by her
husband and three children.
For further information contact:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 387 3814
Fax: 018 387 2868
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail:LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Developmental Local Government and Housing, North
West Provincial Government
9 July 2007
