SIPHELELE NKETO

NEW leadership for the Democratic Alliance (DA) Eastern Cape Women’s Network (DAWN) and DA Youth (DAY) Eastern Cape was elected at the provincial congresses in Makhanda last weekend. The leadership will perform the party’s work for a period of three years.

DA Nelson Mandela Bay Councillor Sandra Fillis was elected unopposed as DAWN provincial chairperson and deputised by Noziphiwo Mantshongo. Amzolele Nkolisa was elected unopposed as DAY provincial chairperson, and Robin Solomons was elected as DAY provincial deputy chairperson for administration, training and development.

Mantshongo, of the rural village of Sihlahleni in EmaXesibeni (Mount Ayliff), joined the DA in 2008, while in Kokstad.

She later introduced the party to the community of Ward 6 in her rural home. Since 2011, she has been working as DA PR councillor in the Umzimvubu Local Municipality. At the same time, she has also worked in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality as a DA representative councillor since 2021. She has vowed to continue fighting against gender-based violence. 

“As a rural woman in the Eastern Cape, I will make sure that women are well capacitated and introduced to many opportunities,” Mantshongo said.

She further said that women also need to be involved in poverty alleviation programmes. Meanwhile, Sandra has been fighting for the rights of women for decades and brings with her a wealth of institutional knowledge. She was first elected to council in 2011 and has served the community with dedication for more than a decade.

She also works as the DA NMB caucus spokesperson for women.

Her involvement in DAWN dates to her early days as a grassroots activist, and she has gone on to serve three terms as the DAWN PE Northern Areas Constituency chairperson. 

At the same time, Amzolele has been involved in politics since serving as a member of the Nelson Mandela Bay Junior City Council and has been a leading member of the DA Student Organisation (DASO).