Qwabe hopes for unity in Ward 21
Meet the new Ward 21 councillor, Mfanafuthi 'Mfanah' Qwabe.
NEW Ward 21 councillor, Mfanafuthi ‘Mfanah’ Qwabe (34), is no stranger to politics as he joined the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) in 2002.
Qwabe took over from ANC councillor, Bongani Gumede. He describes himself as a free spirit whose hobbies includes soccer, playing pool and he loves reading.
He was appointed as the treasure of the youth league in Ward 21 in 2005 and in 2006 he was the secretary of South African Students Congress (SASCO) at Unisa.
He became the District secretary for Thulani Ncwane, which was then known as the North Central for the young communist league in 2007.
From 2009 to 2011 he was the Unisa National Students’ Representative Council secretary general and was also the member of the council senate where he represented students in disciplinary hearings.
In 2013, he was appointed as chairman of the ANC youth league in Ward 21 and in 2014 was one of the youngest member to be chosen as the ANC branch secretary.
Qwabe said among his priorities is the issue of drug abuse among young people.
“To achieve that, we need to engage and work together with all stakeholders, police, CPFs, the churches, justice department to get to the root of the problem.”
He said he also wished to find ways for young people to be equipped with skills to start their own businesses.
“To do that, we will need assistance from the businesses in the area. Pinetown and surroundings contribute about 37 per cent of the Durban economy.”
Qwabe believed that if we could bring back the spirit of Ubuntu, treating your neighbour’s child as your own and knowing your neighbours, could grow a prosperous society.
“I am a young person and I wish to work with everyone and every party to uplift this ward,” he added.
Ward 21 covers New Germany and some parts of Clermont. ANC received 6231 votes followed by the DA with 3361 and EFF came third with 498 votes.
He thanked everyone who voted and put their faith in the ANC. “I hope that we are all going to work together for a better future.”
l He can be contacted on 081 412 0966 or email mfanaq@gmail.com.
