Meet the mayors of Ugu and RNM

Most people are still confused about the local municipalities, especially Ugu District and Ray Nkonyeni (RNM).

The Herald secured an exclusive interview with the mayors of both municipalities so that the community can get to know them on a personal level, and understand which municipality is led by which mayor and their core functions.

Phumlile MaShozi Mthiyane is the mayor of Ugu, which deals with water and sanitation only.

It is also an umbrella body for four municipalities, namely RNM, Umzumbe, Umdoni and Umuziwabantu.

Phumlile was born and bred in Izingolweni, KwaShobashobane.

She went to Ebomvini Primary and matriculated at Sister Jones High in Murchison.

“I started working at Margate Hotel as a receptionist then later on got promoted to manager. I left the hotel when I got a job at Remax.”

While working, she furthered her education and completed a degree in Public Management, and is pursuing her honours this year.

Phumlile has five children, and is also going through a divorce which will be finalised soon.

She had 10 siblings and now only has one remaining brother. She comes from a poor background, her father was unemployed and her mother sold fish to provide for the family.

“I worked at the National Youth Development Agency which was then known as Umsobomvu, and this is where my passion and love to help young people comes from.”

Phumlile has also served in many political structures such as the youth and women’s leagues, and others. In 2011 she was sworn in as a councillor at Ezinqoleni Municipality. In 2018 she was the deputy mayor of Ugu and in December 2021 was elected mayor.

In her spare time (which she hardly has) she loves jogging and going to gym. She also enjoys being in her garden, and her favourite foods are amadumbe, sweet potato and fish.

“What worries me is that people still don’t understand the difference between Ugu and RNM. I would also like to tell people that we have a lot of challenges as a municipality, but we are trying our best to fix the situation.”

Cllr Sikhumbuzo ‘Zero’ Mqadi is the mayor of RNM which deals with roads, storm water drainage systems, electricity, maintaining beaches and so on.

When he was introduced as Zero everyone wondered if it was his real name.

Zero is a nickname that was given to him when he played soccer as a youngster.

He went to Dlukulwani Primary then to Mbambi Secondary and matriculated at Phathwa High in Gcilima.

He remembers his childhood very clearly and the hard times he experienced growing up during apartheid. He explained it helped him grow in politics and life itself.

Zero completed a Diploma in Education at Mpumalanga College of Education in Hammarsdale. He then furthered his studies in the same field at Unisa.

He was a teacher at Kwezilamch Primary and later held the post of principal at Machi Primary.

Zero has a history in government as he has worked in various departments as a deputy director.

He held the posts of deputy director at the: Department of Human Settlements and Public Works under Ravi Pillay, Department of Treasury and Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.

He was then elected as a councillor on November 1, 2021 and returned home to serve the South Coast community.

Mqadi was elected as the mayor of RNM in January.

“It has been a very long journey, and a journey that I intend to continue walking making sure that people’s lives are changed for the better.”

Mqadi is married and has four sons and a daughter.

“I have seven siblings who are all girls,” he said.

In his spare time he loves to watch soccer at the local sportsfields and attend community events.

“Meeting with the community and seeing people is what I like doing most, I also enjoy going to the beach.”

He said his favourite foods are braai meat and fish prepared by his wife.

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