‘THE leadership changes in the uThungulu District Municipality does not only shift the focus on me, but on all of us as women leading this district. We will not fail our people.’
That was the bold statement of newly elected Deputy Mayor of the uThungulu District Municipality, Cllr Nonhle Mkhulisi.
She spoke to the Zululand Observer on a wide range of issues.
ZO: Do you view your deployment as a promotion or a demotion, considering you started in national Parliament, then the Provincial Legislature and now here?
Mkhulisi: ‘It is about the trust the party has in me. There are no promotions nor demotions here. Ours is to serve the people. Local government is the most crucial sphere of government. For me this is a chance to contribute my knowledge and expertise to local government with a view to accelerate the delivery of basic services.
ZO: There is a notion that you are not well known in this region, and some doubt your political credentials to be a Deputy Mayor?
Mkhulisi: ‘I might not have been visible to the community at large, but I have been in the struggle all my life. I am a daughter of the soil, born and bred in Melmoth, a teacher by profession and have taught at Mfanefile Primary School as a teacher, Deputy Principal and Principal.
‘My political involvement started when I led the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), Melmoth branch, as Deputy Secretary and later as Deputy Chairperson.
‘I served in the union until I was a full-time shop steward, eventually becoming SADTU Vice President until 2009.
‘I have been active in the ANC as well and served in various structures. In 2008 I was elected as the Chairperson of the ANC Women’s League in the region, and in 2011 served in the REC of the Musa Dladla Region as Deputy Chairperson. I was re-elected in 2014, the position I still hold.
ZO: What are your immediate goals?
Mkhulisi: I’m coming to support the mayor and her vision. The three of us, myself, the mayor and speaker will be able to move uThungulu forward.
‘People must not compare me with the late Cllr Thulani Mashaba, but working with him has equipped me with the skills needed to serve in local government.’
