From retail manager to first female mayor of KwaDukuza

In honour of Women’s Month reporter James Anderson interviewed KwaDukuza mayor Dolly Govender for a glimpse at the woman behind the title.

‘Aunty Dolly’ has risen from retail store manager to become the first female mayor of KwaDukuza.

Govindammal ‘Dolly’ Govender grew up in Dawnside, within minutes of the KwaDukuza CBD, and has spent her entire life trying to serve that community.

Born into a family of 7, Govender was schooled at Ashram Primary School and the Stanger Indian High School, now renamed Stanger Secondary School.

Her father was a plumber who worked for the municipal water sanitation department, but Govender initially had no desire to follow and work in government.

She wanted to be an attorney, but found both funds and opportunities difficult to come by in Apartheid-era Stanger.

She worked briefly in a furniture store before moving to a sales and administration role at the Chrysler dealership which proved to be an important step in her career.

“From Chrysler, I was headhunted to work for Bee Gee Fashion in 1979 as a credit manager. I stayed with the business for 23 years, growing to become the first store manager from any non-white race group,” she said.

A single parent, Govender raised 2 sons alone, trying to juggle both a career and parenting.

She also began to work more actively in the local community after joining the ANC in 1972.

When Bee Gee went into liquidation in 2002, Govender also lost her brother, compounding the loss in what became one of the most difficult periods of her life.

“I was obviously very saddened by the news, but I had no choice but to push through, like many women and single mothers often have to.”

Govender worked in her son’s panel-beating company for 4 years before moving towards politics full-time.

She became ward 19 branch secretary in 2006 and entered council on a PR ticket in 2010.

Much to her surprise, she was elected deputy mayor to the late Ricardo Mthembu in 2011.

She was re-elected to a second term in 2016, before becoming acting mayor in 2019 and the official mayor in October 2020.

As mayor, Govender has aimed to stamp out inefficiency and irregular spending, which has been an ongoing struggle in the municipality.

Nevertheless, she says that she will continue to work as long as she is in office, whether she is re-elected or not.

“I don’t like to be idle. I prefer to keep busy and will work as long as my body lets me.”

Outside of work, Govender is a motorsport fan and enjoys baking and cooking while spending time with her family who mostly remain in KwaDukuza.

In closing, Govender had some advice for young women seeking to get into politics or any professional career.

“There are so many more opportunities for females now. Do not let yourself be controlled, go and earn a salary so that you can be independent. Women are the future, but we have to make that future for ourselves, it will not simply happen. Stay strong and stay focused.”

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