Siphesihle to steer district council
PORT Durnford's Siphesihle Mkhwanazi has officially taken over the reins as council speaker at King Cetshwayo District Municipality.
The 34-year-old IFP councillor was elected in a sitting at the municipal chambers in Richards Bay on Thursday.
Her election follows the resignation of Pastor Ivan Naidoo who has now officially retired.
Under the watchful eye of IEC district officials, Mkhwanazi received the most votes against the ANC’s preferred candidate, Cllr ME Dlamini.
While Mkhwanazi says she is ready to take up the baton and steer the district council, she admits that her predecessor, a seasoned politician, left big shoes to fill.
"The promise I can make is to do my best, to learn and to pray because the person who was in this position previously was a pastor, and he would always pray for guidance," said Mkhwanazi.
Despite a tough personal journey - including losing her father earlier this year and caring for her ill mother - Mkhwanazi has dedicated much of her time to political and community structures over the years.
She said her political journey began at school, in the South African
Democratic
Student Movement
(SADESMO), to later serving in the party's local structures and then, after the 2021 local elections, as a PR councillor in uMhlathuze and on the district council.
"Being raised as a candidate for speaker came as a surprise but I believe there is something in me that has been placed by God, which has been recognised by others and led me to this position," she said.
"I have never been a person who believes in serving in order to secure a position - positions follow you when you work hard," she said.