Women’s participation in politics they say has become the key to meaningful and sustainable development, as well as a flourishing democracy. One woman who is a testament to this fact is Lindiwe Sisulu, a South African politician who serves as the country’s Minister of Human Settlements, Water & Sanitation. Sisulu has made an exceptional impact in the Rainbow nation’s political arena, and her resume speaks for itself.<\/p>\n
Beyond her current ministerial role, Lindiwe Sisulu has held several other strategic positions in the past. Notable among them include serving as the Minister of Human Settlements (2014-2018), Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (1996-2001), and Minister of Intelligence under President Thabo Mbeki (2001-2004), etc.<\/p>\n
She also garnered huge fame through her participation as an ANC candidate in the 2017 presidential campaign. However, she later stepped down to contest for the post of Deputy President, which she lost to David Mabuza.\u00a0Asides politics, Lindiwe is also a renowned women’s rights activist and prolific writer. She has released several publications and has also recorded a few awards in her name. How did she achieve all these? Let’s tell her story.<\/p>\n
The daughter of African National Congress Leaders and anti-apartheid activists \u2013 Albertina Sisulu and Walter Sisulu, the minister was born as Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu on the 10th of May 1954. She is a native of Johannesburg, South Africa. She is not the only child of her parents as she was raised alongside her two older brothers – Zwelakhe Sisulu, who is a journalist, and Max Sisulu, a politician.<\/p>\n
Coming from a family well-grounded in politics, Lindiwe’s brother Zwelakhe established himself as a well-known journalist. Born in 1950, Zwelakhe, however, kicked the bucket in 2012. Before his demise, he had previously served as the CEO of South African Broadcasting Corporation, as well as the president of the Black Media Writers of South Africa. Her other brother Max, is a well-known politician and the former speaker of the South African National Assembly. The three siblings spent their formative years in their hometown, Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
Although she has become a well-known figure in the South African political landscape, Lindiwe Sisulu started her activism career while she was still in college. Consequently, she was detained for one year (from 1975 to 1976) because of her involvement in anti-apartheid activities. Before then, she attended Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa, Swaziland, where she graduated from in 1973.<\/p>\n
Thereafter, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Diploma in Education from the University of Swaziland in 1980. The following year, she bagged another degree in History from the same institution. Studying further, Lindiwe also got a master’s degree in History, and in 1989, she acquired an MPhil from the University of York, England.<\/p>\n
In the late ’80s, the minister began her career, working as a teacher at Manzini Teachers Training College. After she was released from detention in 1976, she joined the military branch of the African National Congress, where she specialized in intelligence. A few years later, she was made an assistant to Jacob Zuma<\/a> in the ANC’s intelligence services in 1990.<\/p>\n The outstanding intelligence officer began her government career in 1994. At the time, she served as a member of parliament. Two years later, in 1996, she got her first government appointment, working as the deputy minister of home affairs. She served in that capacity until 2001 when she was made the Minister of Intelligence by President Thabo Mbeki<\/a>, serving through 2004.<\/p>\n Later in 2004, she succeeded Rob Davies as Minister of Housing, a position she held until 2009. In the new dispensation, Lindiwe was picked by Jacob Zuma to serve as the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, a post she held from 2009 to 2012. Her unparalleled records kept her soaring high as she climbs her career ladder. She went on to serve as the Minister of Public Service and Administration from 2012 to 2014.\u00a0Afterward, she went back to the Ministry of Housing, now called the Ministry of Human Settlements, serving as its minister from 2014 to 2018.<\/p>\n It was in 2017 that Lindiwe Sisulu was nominated by some African National Congress (ANC) branches to contest for president. The minister joined the race to succeed former President Jacob Zuma as the ANC leader in 2017. Although Lindiwe qualified for that position in 2007 and 2012, it was in 2017 that she decided to give it a go. During the campaign, she pulled a lot of stunts, stating that “what we must do is to cleanse the ANC and recover its original values.” She further adopted the slogan “it’s a must”.<\/p>\n For those who say I can't be president because of my family name I say you are correct. I should be president because of my proven track record of delivery, my history as a leader with integrity. Let's recapture our path – It's a MUST! #Sisulu17<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Z7d6JJpQhY<\/a><\/p>\n — Lindiwe Sisulu (@LindiweSisuluSA) December 11, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nLindiwe Sisulu Has Held Several Government Positions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
She Once Contested for South Africa’s Presidency<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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