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Tribute to S'bu NdebeleKZN'S NEW PREMIER TAKING OFFICE
S’bu Ndebele Now that the people have spoken through the ballot box, it is time to pay tribute to the province's Transport Minister Mr S'bu Ndebele. It is evident that Mr Ndebele has driven the country's leading political party (ANC) to political victory in KwaZulu Natal after years of anticipation, speculation and confusion. But this did not come easy. Mr Ndebele is no populist politician. He is a practical South African leader who earned his party the reputation of being truly sensitive and responsive to the needs of the people. This happened through sheer hard-work, sustained commitment as well as a meaningful and ongoing interaction with the people of this province. But who is S'bu Ndebele? What is the background of this workaholic and outstanding leader whose name has become synonymous with economic empowerment, job-creation, fighting carnage on our roads, to mention but a few of the attributes of his term of office in the Department of Transport? Mr Ndebele believes that just as transport was used as a weapon to divide the people of South Africa during the apartheid era, so should transport now be used as a tool to unify and uplift the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
Mr Ndebele performing the sod-turning at the Chief Mthethwa area His father was a Lutheran priest and in order to carry out the work of the church, the family moved frequently from one rural area to another during Mr Ndebele's childhood. It was then that he came face to face with the harsh realities of scanty and often unavailable roads and bridges in the province. Hence he is passionate about constructing rural roads and bridges to provide access to deep rural communities. Mr Ndebele was congratulated by former President Nelson Mandela for piloting the Asiphephe (Let us be Safe) programme which later became a national project in the form of Arrive Alive. His commitment to reducing the carnage on KwaZulu-Natal roads stems from the death of his 24-year-old son in a car crash in April 1994, just before he was sworn in as transport minister. His father's influence continues to show itself in road safety programmes that are driven by religious groupings from various faiths, including Siyabakhumbula (We Remember them - the dead) and the inter-faith road safety awareness programme that has enjoyed the backing of performing artists, journalists, heads of various religious sects and the general public. His ability to use all arts and media disciplines to promote road safety awareness has been Mr Ndebele's undisputed strength. He has worked with highly respected artists like Jabu Khanyile, Mbongeni Ngema, Phuzekhemisi, Mandoza, and many others who have produced musical CDs and performed in various venues - sharing the stage with the minister. Another popular South African group, Ebony released a song called Siyabakhumbula (after Ndebele's campaign) in which they sing about Mr Ndebele's tragedy due to loss of his son, Nhlakanipho.
Mr Ndebele on horseback at the Presidential Imbizo held in KZN earlier this year. Mr Ndebele has an intense love for horses - which stems from his childhood. He enjoys playing tennis, loves watching soccer, and is most relaxed when driving on the open road listening to jazz music. However, with his extremely hectic schedule and constantly ringing cell phone, he seldom gets the opportunity to do any of these things. He also loves Indian food. Mr Ndebele thrives on intellectual debate. This was one of the factors which distinguished him on Robben Island and earned him the name "Son of Man", a title he is still referred to by many veterans and activists of the liberation struggle. His value in the ANC revolves around his comprehensive understanding of South African and international history, as well as the intimate knowledge of the ANC constitution, and his vision as a political scientist.
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