From schoolteacher to becoming KwaDukuza municipality’s (KDM) second female mayor, Octavia Lindile Nhaca’s rise in politics has been swift.
Born in KwaDukuza in 1973 to a house painter and domestic worker, Nhaca spent time across the KwaDukuza municipal area, living in Ballito, Groutville and Shakaville.
“We did not have much money as a family when I was a child. My father owned his painting business, but never had a regular pay cheque.
“He told us that we needed to make our own way in the world,” she said.
Along with her 5 siblings, Nhaca attended Tshelenkosi Secondary School in Shakaville, where she matriculated in 1991.
Seeing education as a steady career path and a way to influence future generations, Nhaca obtained a senior primary teacher’s diploma in 1994.
This began a 17-year career as a teacher, spending time in Maphumulo, Mandeni and KwaDukuza.
“It was not always easy, as some of these schools were in dangerous areas.
“At my first teaching post in Isibanisezwe Secondary School (north of KwaDukuza), there were political tensions and often the pupils fought.
“Many carried guns and it was a harsh, early learning curve for me as a young teacher.”
She has since earned her honours degree in education through the University of South Africa.
In 2006 Nhaca was elected to her first political position as PR councillor for the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaDukuza.
She juggled this role with the final 6 years of her teaching career at Newark Primary School, which she left at the end of 2012 to focus on politics.
From 2011 until her election as mayor, Nhaca served as the chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee.
In April 2021 she was elected as speaker of the KDM council following a resignation, before being elected mayor last month.
Nhaca says her primary focus is on providing equitable housing opportunities, maintaining municipal infrastructure and taking KwaDukuza to city status by 2030.
“We are also taking steps to beautify KwaDukuza, which many residents have said is now a dirty town.
“Furthermore, I intend to address the growing issue of crime in our communities by implementing many crime-fighting strategies.”
Nhaca has also promised to remove obstacles for entrepreneurs who want to create businesses, injecting money back into the local economy.
She also feels strongly about reinforcing the municipality’s stance on vaccinations, urging all KwaDukuza residents to become vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Speaking on the day of Nhaca’s election, Democratic Alliance caucus leader and ward 6 councillor, Tammy Colley, wished the new mayor well.
“She was a good speaker and I trust she will be a good mayor. We would all like someone in that position to work in collaboration with all parties.”
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