Thembi Nkadimeng biography, age, qualifications, contact details, SALGA

Thembi Nkadimeng (born in 1972-73) is a South African politician. She serves as the Deputy Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

She was appointed to the position following a cabinet reshuffle on Thursday 5 August 2021.

Though she is among the youngest members of Cyril Ramaphosa’s aging national executive, her past achievements speak for her.

She has held several notable positions in public service. Thembi boasts years of experience in Limpopo ANC. She succeeded Freddy Greaver to serve as the Polokwane mayor after the election in 2014.

Profile

Name	Thembi Nkadimeng
Title	Cllr
Born	1972-73 (age 48 years)
Gender	Female
Nationality	South African
Education	Diploma, BA, BPhil
Alma mater	University of the North University of Stellenbosch
Occupation	Politician
Position	Mayor of Polokwane (2014-date)
Sister	Nokuthula Simelane
Parents	Late Mr. Simelane (father) Mrs. Sizakele Simelane (mother)

Background

Thembi Nkadimeng was born into the family of Mrs. Sizakele Simelane. Her mother resides in the farming town of Bethal, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

She had an older sister Nokuthula who was taken by the Security Branch and was never seen again. Years after, she lost her father and in 2017 her brother died.

Thembi has spent over 30 years trying to connect the dots leading to her sister whereabout. Though these years haven’t yielded a fruitful result.

Her family has given up hope of finding their daughter Nokuthula Simelane alive. 

Qualifications

She holds a higher education diploma from the University of the North. Thembi also obtained a Bachelor of Arts (honors) degree and BPhil (political studies) from the University of Stellenbosch.

Thembi also attended Wits Business School for several advanced programs in management.

Career

She was appointed to serve as the president of the SA Local Government Association (SALGA). She has also occupied the position of Salga Limpopo provincial chairperson.

She has also been serving as the mayor of Polokwane since July 2014. Thembi was the Deputy President of SALGA before being the president.

Thembi holds the record as the second female president of the organization since it was formed. Thembi Nkadimeng is also the Co-President of United Cities of Local Government (UCLG). 

She has occupied the position of the Executive Mayor of Polokwane Municipality in Limpopo Province since 2014.

Nkadimeng has also occupied positions of management both in the public administration and private sector.

News

After decades of fruitless search for Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) fighter Nokuthula Simelane, Thembi and her family have given up hope.

Thembi Nkadimeng has spent over 30 years looking for her sister. Reports covered that the Securit Branch responsible for taking her sister away tortured her.

I went to the TRC with my family. It was very painful for all of us. We were in tears. It was sad. It was gruesome. It was the first time we interacted with the facts and the judges were so thorough. They asked: ‘Did you kick her? Did you punch her? What did you do?’ And they said: ‘We would throw her into the dam; she would soil herself. We would cover her with a wet bag until she would lose consciousness.

According to other reports;

Nokuthula was tortured by the Security Branch. She was beaten, suffocated with a wet bag, and electrocuted. She was also deprived of sleep.

Black Security Branch members shared the details of the torture and were said to have taken part. Although, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) granted two members amnesty.

However, those believed to have a hand in her murder are yet to stand trial.

Contact details

Postal Address	PO Box 111, POLOKWANE, 0700
Street Address	cnr Landros Marais and Bodenstein Streets, POLOKWANE
Phone	015 290 2000
Fax	015 290 2106