Get to know S’bongiseni Gerald Vilakazi

What is your political background? How did you come to join your political party and become an MP?

This is my first foray into formal politics. My professional background includes leadership experience within the NPO sector and in IT as a Software Developer and IT Analyst. I was driven to join the DA by my frustrations in the country's deteriorating state of governance and quality of life, especially among the communities of low socio-economic status that I interacted with in my work. I responded to an advertisement by the DA for applications for the role of MP/MPL, went through the months-long selection process, and was eventually appointed an MP. I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue my community activism using Parliament as a platform.

What does your job as an MP entail? What impact do you hope to have?

The role consists of law making, oversight of government departments and taking up issues of constituencies in Parliament. I hope to be able to hold the departments over which I have oversight to account, improve service delivery to communities and enable the voice of community members to be heard in Parliament.

What are your thoughts on the Government of National Unity (GNU) for the Seventh Parliament?

I believe the GNU is the best thing to happen to the country at this time, and feel privileged to be a part of it. The failure of any one party to get an outright majority will reduce abuse of power, lawlessness, corruption and incompetence in government, and hopefully reverse the rot we have seen and improve the lives of all citizens.

What can be done to get citizens more interested/ involved in Parliament?

One way is for Parliament to take up issues of immediate or urgent interest to citizens instead of being seen as politicking for its own sake. There must be greater opportunities for citizens to interact with Parliamentarians, and we must not be seen as inaccessible or untouchables. Oversight visits to communities and other community engagements by parliament's portfolio committees must be prioritised. There is an encouraging increase in the number of young people in the Seventh Parliament, which will hopefully improve the interest of this age group in the issues of Parliament.

Which Constituency Office/area have you been assigned to? Can you give examples of Constituency work you engaged in or plan to do?

I have been assigned to oversee the DA's activities in the Umkhanyakude District in KZN. In my short time there I have prioritised building relationships with key stakeholders such as community leaders, businesses and other structures. I have taken up various issues regarding roads, water and sanitation infrastructure, housing and others. I am still finding my way on how to best handle issues to ensure speedy responses from the relevant authorities. Looking forward to the journey!

What will you and your party be focusing on during your term? (will you introduce legislation, will your oversight focus on any specific area etc…)

The primary goal is to grow support for the party in my constituency. This will happen through us showing genuine interest in the issues that matter to community members, doing the best we can to address those issues and keeping the communities informed of our efforts and progress. A personal goal is to be available to community members when they need me, whether regarding my constituency or parliamentary oversight duties. I am also looking to educate myself in the work of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, to which I have been assigned, so that I can make meaningful contributions to the work of the department and its entities, as well as to the party's policies on this Department.

What are you passionate about? This applies both in the political/ professional arena and personally.

I get pleasure and satisfaction from seeing the lives of other people improved through some effort on my side. I am also a strong believer in the power of people to help themselves, that communities and individuals have the answers to their needs and that my role is to facilitate their access to the resources they need to fulfil their potential. So, I see my role as firstly ensuring that people are heard when they express their needs and facilitating the process of addressing those needs. I am also big on personal growth. Taking up this role is part of my journey of growth and I am currently enrolled in a course on Governance, Policy and Regulation in the Digital era. I'm excited for the future!

What is your message to South Africa?

Let us stand together and work for the good of all. We have enough of us who believe in our unity, and by working together, we can achieve prosperity for all.

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