CDM Municipality
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Cllr Maseka Solomon Pheedi, like any other leader who was born during the apartheid era, experienced the hardships of the apartheid. There were very limited opportunities at that time which led to many of his age not appreciating the essence and significance of education and thus opting for the short route of leaving school and heading to what was then perceived as the glamorous cities.
Contrary to that, Cllr Pheedi sought and found solace in the books and had the desire to become a better person regardless of the tough upbringing and persistent temptation to join his other peers in the city of gold. He was born in Johannesburg Farm (Ga-Maphoto) in the early 60s which is situated in Blouberg Municipality. Growing up at a village called Makaepea in Goudmyn (Ga Maela) in Blouberg as well, Maseka Solomon Pheedi attended his primary school at Tlhona Sedimong Primary School (Tlhona Village) at the age of 13yrs.
He then did his secondary education at Mabea High School in Burgerricht village in Blouberg Municipality. It is this period that he joined student politics as one of the leaders in the Student Representatives Council (SRC). After matriculating, he enrolled for BA degree at the University of Venda in 1987 and in 1990 he completed University Education Diploma. He also obtained Basic Science Certificate at University of Witswatersrand and Project circle Management Certificate at the Northern Training Trust (NTT) and also the Master Trainer (Train The Trainer) course with South African Management Development Institute (SAMDI).
Pheedi is a qualified teacher. He has worked at My-Darling High School as a teacher from 1991 (3 months) then moved to Bochum College of education as a lecturer in the same year until 2001. From 2001 to 2003 he was acting as a curriculum advisor at Bahananwa Circuit Office in 2004. He also worked at Kwena Moloto Multipurpose Centre (2006-2010), Bochum Circuit office curriculum advisor, 2008 – 2011. He also served as a Board member, Deputy Chair Infrastructure at Capricorn College FET from 2008 – 2010. He was also a Chairperson of Transition from Bochum College Education before it was converted to Capricorn College FET. He also participated in the curriculum development of the FET.
Because of oppression under apartheid and passion for change in the country, Maseka joined the ANC in 1991. He led ANC branch at Dilaeneng village and Bochum town from 1991-1992. He then served as PRO for SANCO Bochum Town between 2007 -2015. Around 2010 to 2015 he served as the chairperson of SANCO in Bochum Town. He was also a member of SANCO-REC from 2010 -2013. He became a chairperson of the ANC Blouberg Ward 02 which is Onkgopotse Tiro from 2008 – 2011. Again the chairperson of the ANC Blouberg branch of Baleka Mbete, Ward 19 from 2011 to 2016. He was the Deputy Chairperson of ANC Blouberg Sub-Region from 2008 -2015. He again served as the chairperson of ANC Blouberg Sub-Region in from 2014 – 2016 and currently the Deputy Chairperson of ANC Peter Mokaba region from 2015 – to date.
Before he joined Capricorn District Municipality, Cllr Pheedi was the Mayor of Blouberg from 2016 until local government elections in 2021. He has ensured that people of Blouberg gets services and he has done that with passion and dedication. He is now appointed as the first male Speaker of Council at CDM. He comes with a background as a community developer and esteemed academic as evidenced by his record as one of the longest serving member in the movements.
He is easy to relate to and he has respect for human life. Pheedi has adopted an open-door policy, that means that everyone from all walks of life is guaranteed attention by his office. He is a man who hates bureaucratic red tapes with a passion and believes in action. It is anticipated that the next five years will be very eventful for the people of CDM as he will be re-positioning participatory democracy and good governance to put people at the centre of their own development.
