Page 41 - AWOL Magazine SA

1. Did you ever see yourself in politics as a child? What motivated you to embrace politics as a career?
Response: I was born and bred in KwaMashu, a township located on the northern part of Durban, and mentored by leaders such as Comrade Harry Gwala, Mama Dorothy Nyembe and Linda Zama.
From a young age, I witnessed the suffering, systematic discrimination and racism directed at South Africa’s majority black population. I therefore developed a strong desire to drive change that would lead to the freedom of South Africa and to ensure the advancement of women’s emancipation.
During the struggle for the liberation of South Africa, I participated in underground operations of t h e
African National Congress (ANC) at a young age, and this is where
I was often confronted by
the forces of the apartheid regime. However, I never succumbed
to the pressure; instead I was more determined hence I became actively involved in mass-based mobilisation campaigns that ultimately helped to overthrow the apartheid government.
As part of preparation for the transition to a democratic government, I was then sent abroad to various countries including the Netherlands with other leaders, where I received extensive training in leadership and constitutional governance.
Prior to my deployment as Premier, I was the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) responsible for the Finance Portfolio in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government. I was previously MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in the province between May 2019 and November 2020. I also served as MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs for two terms between 2009 and 2019.
Following my term in office as Speaker of the eThekwini Metro, the ANC deployed me to serve as Ambassador to the Czech Republic. Thereafter, I was appointed back home to serve as Chief Whip of the ANC in the
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature.
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