"Be true to yourself and don't let a bad situation swallow you." Jabulile Mamkhwanazi Khumalo

Jabulile Mamkhwanazi Khumalo

Outgoing Amajuba District Mayor Jabulile Mamkhwanazi Khumalo was born in the dusty street of Madadeni. A township situated in Newcastle north of Kwazulu Natal, born by Mambonane and Nehemia Mkhwanazi. She is the eldest out of five children, with two brothers namely Sizwe and Siyabonga and two sisters Thandile and Bonisiwe.

Khumalo also has a family of her own with four children, one passed away and now she is left with three and one granddaughter.  Zama is the eldest daughter (24), Zithulele her son is (22), her last born Zodidi (12) and her granddaughter Ingiphile (2).

On a recent interview she had with #Insight, she shared her life journey with us. “I started my primary school at Zuza then Khulakahle to Zabalaza Primary, I then completed my Matric in 1992 at Sekusile High School.” Said Khumalo. After completing her matric she enrolled in a 6 months Administration Course at Madadeni Technical College now Amajuba TVET. “Between 1994 and 1995 I was a temporary educator at Amalambule High School at Nyanyadu, Dunnhauser.” Said Khumalo.

In 1996 she started a consultant firm specialising in project management and facilitating. She started this project with comrade Ntokozo current Regional Secretary of the African National Congress in Emalahleni Region, Bongani Nyembe, Sipho Kubheka to name only a few.

In 1998 Khumalo enrolled at the University of Kwazulu Natal to study Law but she did not complete her LLB studies. She than studied Public Management, Municipal Finance and Project Management, she was now studying part time.

“I was introduced to politics by my late grandmother Manyembe who is still my role model and my best friend, may her soul rest in peace.” Said Khumalo. She adds that she was taught by her grandmother that the ANC is a movement that seeks to liberate them from apartheid and give black people equal opportunities as white people. Khumalo also stated that her grandmother hated Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) to the core.

In the year 2000, she was only 25 years of age when she was elected as a PR cllrs. “It was overwhelming but I was humbled also scared, and thankful to the trust that senior matured old comrades had on me.” Said Khumalo. In 2006 she was elected Deputy Mayor,  in 2011 the ANC elected her to be Mayor.

She said it been a very tough journey but very fulfilling experience to serve the beautiful people of Amajuba. Khumalo also said that they have had a fair share of challenges but they worked hard to revive the Amajuba District Municipality. They have delivered water, 100% sanitation in deep rural communities, contributed in 100% electricity infrastructure in Dunnhauser, and electrification of houses in Utrecht.

“It gives me joy when I see people from the deep rural areas such as Utrecht and Dunnhauser receiving clean water and decent sanitation.” Said Khumalo. She also said that it a fulfilling experience when she sees young people getting opportunities through their programmes and internships.

A comrade she met when she was only doing Standard 6 (Grade8) Arthur Zwane said “Jabu Khumalo is one of the dynamic Mayors I have come to know, having worked with her from Congress of South African Students (COSAS) and knew her determination in fighting for the development of all.” Zwane also added that Khumalo found Amajuba District Municipality under stress as the IFP left it with a deficit of more than R70 million and couldn’t make ends meet. However she turned that situation around to a point where it now provides services to the people especially the poor in rural areas.

Blessing Buthelezi a resident in the area said “she has been a good Mayor throughout her term, I don’t have any complaints just praises and I wish her all the best of luck for her future endeavours.”

In the next five years Khumalo want to continue serving the people of Amajuba with integrity and give them all the dignity they deserve. “I want to grow my business, complete my Degree and spend much time with my family especially my granddaughter Ingiphile.” Said Khumalo

Her advice to the youth is that young people should grab opportunities that are presented to them. They should study and follow their passion, and must not do drugs, be true to themselves and don’t let a bad situation to swallow them and they should rise above all challenges. “Trust God He is faithful, He is our protector, our healer, our refugee and our provider.” Said Khumalo.