By The Free State Provincial Government has announced that its long serving Director General (DG) Mr Kopung Ralikontsane will not be returning to serve the provincial government as his contract has come to an end.
Ralikontsane has had a decorated career in the Provincial Government spanning an impressive 39 years. As his contract concludes at the end of August 2024, the DG’s career experienced a disheartening blow in July from the Public Protector (PP) in her findings regarding the funeral of the late former MEC for Education Mr Tate Mokgoe.
The PP Adv. Kholeka Gcaleka found that R5.9 million was spent on the funeral, which she said was not sensible. As part of her remedial action, she said the Premier Ms MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae should take disciplinary action against Kupong Ralikontsane for failure to execute his duties in terms of section 38 of the PFMA relating to the events leading up to and funerals of Mr Makgoe and Mr Mdi.
Despite the dark cloud over his head, the Office of the Premier hailed Ralikontsane as ardent, committed and a resolute leader par excellence.
Mr Kopung Ralikontsane assumed his duties at the Provincial Government as DG in 2013, where he served with diligence to date. The provincial government says he has a passion for development of the public service and the people of South Africa in general. He is well travelled and experienced having attended countless policy-driven and forward-looking international conferences and seminars across Africa, Asia, Europe and North and South America.
Ralikontsane is one the icons who helped in ushering in democracy in the country, fighting the apartheid regime while a teacher, a career he started in 1985. He became an integral part of community structures that fought the apartheid monster at that time. He played a pivotal role as part of the leadership during the tense transitional period before 1994, especially in local government negotiations and transitional arrangements.
The out-going DG is one of the few remain unsung heroes of apartheid. He became the first Chief Executive Officer of the Free State Local Government Association.
The Free State Premier Ms MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae bade her farewell to Ralokontsane saying he was trust worthy and dependable.
“Ralikontsane has been a trusted and dependable anchor of the Free State Provincial Government. The imminent absence of his contribution and counsel will leave a gaping hole that will prove very difficult to fill. We wish him well in his future endeavours.
We will miss Ralikontsane with his trademark hat, which has come to embody his incomparable work ethic, humility, and outstanding leadership, having served as DG under four Premiers of the Free State,” said Premier Letsoha-Mathae.
