Motseoa Julia Sehanka was born in 1952 Zastron (Matlakeng). She joined the African National Congress in 1990 and became the branch secretary the same year she joined; she was elected branch secretary of Women’s League.

A teacher by profession and an ANC activist, she was introduced in matters of local government when she was deployed as a PR Councillor of the Xhariep District Municipality from 2000 to 2006 while concurrently working as a teacher.

She became a member of the Regional Working Committee while serving in the Regional Executive Committee of the Xhariep Region.

She was a member of Helen Sher Shelter responsible for taking care of the orphans which is a subject of passion for her.

She served also as a member of South African National Tuberculosis Association in Zastron.

In 2011 she served as a member of Community Policing Forum in Zastron.

She served her full term as a Mayor of Mohokare Local Municipality from 2006 to 2011.

Upon completion of her Mayoral deployment in Mohokare Local Municipality in 2011 she was called upon by the African National Congress serving as a Proportional Representative Council in Xhariep District Municipality, wherein she served as the Speaker for Xhariep District Municipality.

In 2016 she was appointed as the Xhariep District Executive Mayor for the 2016 – 2021 term of Council.

Mama as she is affectionately known to those who know her was recently elected to serve in Provincial Executive Council of Women’s League in 2015 and as a Commissioner for SALGA Women’s Commission in 2015/2016.

2000 – 2006     PR Councillor: Xhariep District Municipality

2006 – 2011      Mayor: Mohokare Local Municipality

2011 – 2016      District Speaker: Xhariep District

2016 – Executive Mayor: Xhariep District Municipality