Reflections of a parliamentary backbencher
His recently published book ‘The Political Backbender’ is a must read for anyone who has an interest in politics.
Retired politician and author, Doctor Ismail Vadi spoke openly about his career, life and the country’s political situation at a book launch at the Port Shepstone Civic Centre last Saturday.
His recently published book ‘The Political Backbender’ is a must read for anyone who has an interest in politics.
At the book launch, Ravi Pillay, KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs ‘interviewed’ Dr Vadi, thereafter the floor was opened to questions.
The former parliamentarian and Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC shared his colourful career in politics and as an activist.
Dr Vadi said he never joined the struggle for national liberation in South Africa to become a parliamentarian.
As he writes in the prologue of his book, that as a youth and student, and in later years as an educator, he was inspired by his faith and by fellow activists and leaders aligned to the African National Congress (ANC) to fight against apartheid, racial and gender discrimination and economic exploitation.
He goes on to write that to his surprise, he was elected as an ANC member of parliament on April 27, 1994 in the country’s first democratic elections.
“My reflections on my parliamentary career capture the more memorable moments of my life as a backbencher,” he said.
He further explains in his book, that a ‘backbencher’ in the Westminster system is a Member of Parliament (MP) who occupies no governmental position and is simply a rank-and-file parliamentarian.
Dr Vadi was a backbencher in parliament for the first 12 years with membership to the Portfolio Committee on Education, Public Service and Administration, Safety and Security, Correctional Services and the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.
Later in 2006, he was appointed as chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, and his list of further important positions goes on, making his work a fascinating one.
Dr Vadi’s book also serves as a chronicle of the early years of the transition to democracy.
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