Page 44 - AWOL Magazine SA

We must all take employment equity seriously, and not reduce it to meeting compliance targets.
It must be seen as an important instrument to develop all our people – it should not be used as means to maximise gains by exploiting gaps to secure state contracts.
Employment equity must be about maximising the human potential of all South Africans in terms of race, gender, age and disability. We must see employment equity and gender equity as impetus to achieve diversity in the workplace which is critical for nation building and social cohesion.
5. What are your top three guiding principles for life? And how have they helped to bring you to the place you are today?
Response: Chief among the traits which define me is that I am primarily a God-fearing woman, and my religious beliefs keep me grounded yet able to believe in the unlimited potential of every person. We are all created by one God and we have the same rights under the sun. I always say that as a leader, you must be of service to the people and make a significant impact in everything you do. You must find a way to serve and excel in what you do, Martin Luther King once said: “Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great; because greatness is determined by service.” We live in a world where everybody wants to be famous. Some people are too concerned about “likes” on social media and we admire people for just being famous, we think being known brings us value. But the truth is all of that will fade away but if you choose to be of service success will follow you.
I am guided by the principles of respect, resilience, patience and integrity. We must lead with high ethics, passion and care for the people who look up to us. I firmly believe that leading with love and respect brings the best out of our people. There is so much that we can do as leaders to bring about a more humane, inclusive, safer and equitable society. It is also our responsibility to nurture new layers of leadership, use innovation to address the unknowns, so that future generations are better equipped to deal with all the uncertainties of the future.
6. How would you advise young women struggling in their political careers?
Response: My advice to young women struggling in their political careers, is that they must hold their heads up high and focus on the important task at hand. They must remember that the challenges they face today, are preparing them for the future.
Importantly, I always say to young people “let excellence be your brand”. Everybody talks about building a brand, I never knew what that was. When people say to me you are a brand, I would say no, I’m just myself, just Nomusa. But what I recognise now is that my choice to be excellent in every task, is what defines who I am and that is my brand. What I know is that when you are excellent at what you do you become unforgettable. People remember you because you stand out regardless of what it is that you do.
Young women should remember that they did not enter politics for self-serving interests or for “likes” on social media. They should work
towards improving the state of the economy of the people they serve, fight social ills, eradicate poverty, address the scourge of Gender-Based Violence in society and support survivors.
I always emphasise to young women leaders that as public representatives, we have a responsibility to live up to the mandate given to us the by the South African electorate. In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, people want their government to deliver them from poverty, create jobs, fight crime and corruption and bring about a better life for all.
7. Is there a place for mentoring the younger generation of women to take their place in the political arena?
Response: Unfortunately, politics is about experience and very little theory. One has to be in the belly of the beast, under organisational discipline, addressing community issues, immersing yourself in the struggles of the people. The learning curve can be steep, it is therefore important to work through networks of fellow women, fellow comrades who in the end have to guard your back. No individual can emerge as a leader by dropping from the sky. Leaders of the most popular organisations emerge through organic interaction and are defined by difference epochs. This applies in politics and equally in the private sector.
Through proper mentorship youth and young women can be groomed into leadership ensured of a supportive network inside and outside the organisation.
It is important for women who aspire to enter in the political arena to
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