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Chatting with Cllr Thengi Zulu, the newly elected Speaker of Newcastle Municipality, we learn about his journey into politics and his goals for Newcastle.
Born and raised in Newcastle, Cllr Zulu says he has more than 40 years of political experience, including serving the Newcastle community for 15 years as a councillor.
“I became involved in politics after seeing how many of our brothers and sisters were involved in politics, while growing up. At the time, they were addressing issues which were affecting people in our town and around the country.”
As a result, he set out on a quest that would change his life forever. “I left Newcastle for a while, moving to Johannesburg for work. But I missed the town so much, I had to come back.”
Around this time, Cllr Zulu joined the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), aiming to make a difference in the lives of others.
“I joined the IFP in 1978, as his excellency Nkosi (Mangosutho) Buthelezi emphasised the importance of addressing the issue of land, and unifying the African people. He is also a man of his word and integrity.”
Moreover, Cllr Zulu sees his election as Municipal Speaker as a privilege after amassing considerable knowledge in politics and local governance over the years. “I feel honoured by the post, as it shows the IFP is placing its trust in me. It also shows the party and the people recognise the experience I have in local governance.”
Cllr Zulu says he plans to work closely with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Chief Whip to better the city. “From my perspective, our goal is to bring together all of the political parties in order to move Newcastle forward.”
He acknowledges that various issues require immediate addressing, such as the municipality’s financial situation and existing tariffs. However, he assures the people that the municipality’s administration will solve these issues, ensuring Newcastle’s continued growth.
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