Sonja appointed at NCOP

LYDENBURG – Being the phenomenal woman that she is in serving the people of Thaba Chweu, DA Cllr Sonja Boshoff was also recently elected to the National Council of Provinces.

Boshoff, local councillor of Ward 12 in town, took some time off to talk to the newspaper about her recent appointment and what challenges this new position will entail. “I will be addressing issues relating to our province on this council. I will have to resign my position as ward councillor will result in a by-election early in 2014. As soon as the vacancy has been declared, the IEC will set the date for the by-election.”

Asked whether she would now have to relocate in order to fulfil her new duties, Boshoff said, “It is not necessary for me to relocate. I will be commuting between Cape Town and Lydenburg. Lydenburg will remain my residential address.”

Boshoff brings with her a wealth of experience earned in the Thaba Chweu local council, as well as in the provincial structures of the DA. She currently serves as provincial deputy chairman, provides political leadership and support to the Bushbuckridge, Nkomazi and Umjindi constituencies, and up until recently served as the provincial coordinator of the DA Women’s Network.

“With the 2006 elections I was elected as a DA public representative for the Thaba Chweu Municipality. I have served the DA in this municipality as chief whip of the DA caucus and also as constituency chair. In 2007 I was elected as the provincial coordinator of the Democratic Alliance Women’s Network and I stepped down from this position in July 2013 with the election of Cllr Tarnia Baker of the Govan Mbeki Municipality. At the 2011 Provincial Congress, I was elected to the position of deputy provincial chairman.”

She said her appointment to the NCOP arose due to the dismissal of a DA MP after the relevant disciplinary procedures were followed as stipulated by our constitution.

“All DA Members of Parliament and Members of the Parliamentary Legislature are assigned to constituencies and must undertake constituency duties, parliamentary committee duties and any other duties as requested by the relevant leadership as contained in the job description of an MP or MPL.”

In March 2013, the Leadership of Mpumalanga appointed her as the assistant political head for the Bushbuckridge, Nkomazi and Umjindi Constituencies. She said the only change that will be brought about is that she will now be their political head.

“Life is by nature a process of ongoing challenges and constant change. The important thing is not to be fearful. Boldness builds a strong, undefeated self.”

Boshoff said she would embrace the opportunity given to her and to make a success thereof.

“No political position is a given, and therefore I remain committed to the cause and will continue striving towards the ultimate goal of the DA, which is to be the government in 2019.”

She said she would serve the people of Mpumalanga with the same dedication and commitment as she did the residents of Thaba Chweu.

“I would like to thank the residents of Thaba Chweu for their unwavering support and trust placed in me during my term as councillor. Being a councillor of the opposition party is not always an easy task, but the positive attitude displayed by the residents with regard to their service delivery problems, made my work so much easier.

I will continue to provide leadership and guidance to the DA councillors of Thaba Chweu,and will, wherever possible, still be available to assist the residents of Thaba Chweu. I wish to end by quoting Walt Disney: ‘All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.’”

On Tuesday, the DA officially tabled the nomination before the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, and upon its acceptance, Boshoff was elected to the NCOP to represent the people of the province.