The rise and rise of Zikalala

Zikalala was introduced to politics at age 15 in 1988 by his cousin, Sandile Dladla, who was a United Democratic Front activist. In 1995, Zikalala was elected to the north Durban ANC Youth League’s regional executive committee. He was later elected chairman of the region before becoming provincial chairman of the league. In 2004, he was elected ANC Youth League secretary-general. In 2008, he moved back to KwaZulu-Natal to serve as ANC deputy provincial secretary and later as provincial secretary. In 2015, he defeated Senzo Mchunu and became provincial chairman