From patrolling the streets of Glendale as a reserve police officer to helping lead the Democratic Alliance in KZN, Sthembiso Ngema’s political journey has been shaped by activism, discipline and community service.

Before entering politics full time, the newly elected DA provincial leader worked in the security industry and served as a reserve police officer at the Glendale Police Station.
“I hate crime with a passion,” said Ngema.

Different companies often approached him to assist with investigations, including Telkom during cases involving solar theft. The experience eventually inspired him to start his own security company before later stepping away from business to focus on politics full time.

Ngema said his interest in politics started while growing up between Glendale and Lamontville in Durban.
“As much as Glendale was not heavily involved in politics when we were growing up, we used to sing struggle songs on our way to and from school,” he said.

His political awareness deepened after seeing community members criticised for questioning local leaders during meetings.

“You would find that people complained about the same issues, but during meetings, those who raised concerns were labelled as being against the councillor,” he said.

Curious to learn more, Ngema began researching political parties and eventually discovered the DA, a party he admitted he had once viewed with suspicion.

“That is how I came to know the DA, a party we were told would never do anything for black people,” he said.

“I was surprised to see that everyone was free to raise suggestions and discuss issues affecting communities during meetings.”

A chance conversation with then-Durban councillor John Steenhuisen, now South Africa’s agriculture minister, changed the direction of his life. Steenhuisen connected Ngema with former KwaDukuza councillor Madhun Sing, opening the door to his political journey in 2006.

Ngema joined the DA as an activist and steadily built his profile within the party before becoming a proportional representation councillor in eThekwini in 2011. Over the years, he rose through provincial leadership structures, eventually being elected KZN DA party leader on May 9.

Today, Ngema says one of his proudest achievements has been helping the DA grow its presence in townships and rural communities across KwaZulu-Natal.

“We actually have more black leaders than white leaders in the province, but that is something people who push racial narratives often ignore,” he said.

When he is not busy with political work, Ngema enjoys spending time outdoors with his five sons.