A new king to wear uThukela’s troubled crown?
Few so-called “king-makers” within the ANC would have predicted that he would replace the “Virgin Mayor” Dudu Mazibuko
Since ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe made his announcement on the mayoral candidates who will contest this year’s municipal elections, one name has been whispered in the corridors of power within the inner sanctums of uThukela.
That name is Siphiwe Mazibuko.
Few so-called “king-makers” within the ANC would have predicted that he would replace the “Virgin Mayor” Dudu Mazibuko.
But Siphiwe is now set to be the next uThukela District Mayor.
Siphiwe is no stranger to power. As a long-serving member of the ANC, he established his power-base within the district serving as Dudu’s right-hand man in Exco.
He is born and bred from within the heart of Ladysmith. Siphiwe grew up in Steadville and matriculated from Klipriver High School. He has been involved in politics since the 1990s, joining the ANC in 1991. Siphiwe says that he took part in community activities in the Rooi Section of Steadville while at high school.
He participated in the commission of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), an anti-apartheid student organisation that was established in 1976 in the wake of the June 16 Soweto Uprising. After some time as a participant of the commission, he was eventually elected as Regional Chairperson of COSAS. While still at high school, under COSAS, he also took part in community activities that aimed at developing the youth.
After joining the ANC’s Youth League, he left at branch level and was later elected as Regional Chairperson of the Youth League under the Ukhahlamba Region from 2002 to 2012.
“I believe that for the ANC to select me, they saw potential in me. As an executive member of uThukela currently, that means I am not new to council and I understand the issues that affect our people,” he explained in an exclusive interview with the Ladysmith Gazette. “To be given the opportunity to steer such a big ship, it means my work over the years is paying off and I have been recognised as the right person for the job. I understand all issues facing people in both rural areas and the suburbs,” he stressed.
When asked how he would change things, Siphiwe stated that he would first have to change the attitude of uThukela employees and make them realise service delivery comes first!
The public needs to also be taught the importance of saving water, he added.
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