Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Public protector has ‘no regrets’
Madonsela says she has grown as a leader
THE woman with one of the toughest jobs in South Africa, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, has just 164 days left in office, but she’s not slowing down yet, even as she looks to life beyond her post.
Madonsela, 53, will leave the office proud of the work she and her team have done.
Among her priorities on being appointed in 2009 was to raise the profile of the public protector’s office and make it accessible to anyone, anywhere in South Africa.
“I wanted to take this office to the next level; I wanted everyone in every part of the country to know that there is an office like ours. We have helped to give voice to the voiceless.”
Madonsela said she couldn’t wait to return to her legal practice. She believes she was born a human rights activist and fighting inequality is what motivates her.
“I will continue to fight against social injustices, inequalities and administrative justice. Even before I was given this job, I would help my clients if they encountered problems with government departments. I would go knocking on those department doors, looking for answers and back then I didn’t even have a title.”
Going back to her roots also means spending time with her parents and the community where she grew up in Dlamini, Soweto.
“Although my parents no longer live there, my neighbours are still the same. They always remind me of the good old days while we were growing up and it is lovely to stand in the street and catch up with them.”
Spending leisure time with friends is something Madonsela has not been able to spend much time on.
“Whenever I set a date with my friends to go hiking, I end up having to work. It doesn’t ever become convenient for me.
“I haven’t gone on holiday with all the members of my family at the same time. I miss going to the theatre, and the movies; I don’t do that as often as I’d like.“
The public protector’s relationship with President Jacob Zuma is one she diplomatically describes as “healthy and mutually respectful”.
Despite the controversy over Nkandla, the president’s residence, in which Madonsela’s office found in a 2014 that Zuma should pay back some of the money for the R246 million worth of upgrades which were not security features, she and Zuma get on with each other.
“He has never shown any animosity towards me. He has always remained warm when we do interact with each other at gatherings and we have decent conversations. Even before the Nkandla court case I saw him and he was fine,” said Madonsela.
She applauded the Presidency for acknowledging, in a recent Constitutional Court case, that the public protector’s Nkandla report was binding.
Madonsela said while SA had lots to celebrate as a country, more needs to be done to ensure democracy is upheld. Addressing rising inequalities, poverty and racial intolerance is key in ensuring the growth of the coun- try, she said, adding that the socio-economic gaps are too wide and are fuelling divisions.
“Some people still don’t have electricity or decent food to eat. These vast differences in our society are causing rifts between us. A hungry person is an angry person.
“We shouldn’t fuel anybody’s anger, we shouldn’t rubbish anybody’s pain. South Africa must find a way of reaching out to those who have not yet benefited from postapartheid but we must do this in a dignified manner.”
Though the job has been tough, Madonsela said she had no regrets; the obstacles had been worthwhile and the job had been a learning curve.
“What an incredible journey. I am truly grateful to have had this opportunity. It hasn’t been easy but I have also been stretched as a leader and that has allowed me to grow as an individual.”