A day in the life of a South African minister
The life of a government minister in South Africa might seem like a high-profile, high-quality life, but behind the role is the weight of grueling responsibility and never-ending work.
This is according to Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Velenkosini Hlabisa, who spoke to Newsday about his work schedule and lifestyle since taking on the role of minister.
Hlabisa was born in KwaZulu-Natal in 1965. He joined the liberation movement, Ikatha yeNkululeko yeSizwe, which would become the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) at the age of 13.
His innate leadership qualities were recognised immediately and nurtured, leading him to take on the position of Branch Chairperson.
He later became Constituency Chairperson, Ward Councilor, District Chairperson, Deputy mayor, and National Secretary of the IFP Youth Brigade.
After leading in all IFP party structures, Hlabisa was appointed to Provincial Secretary for KwaZulu-Natal in 2011, and became a member of the National Executive Committee.
He then became mayor of Hlabisa Local Municipality in Umkhanyakude District.
After showing such dedication to the party, the National Council unanimously voted for Hlabisa to stand for party president, following the death of IFP leader, Prince Mangusuthu Buthelezi, in 2016.
He was elected unopposed in August 2019. Hlabisa was sworn in as a member of parliament in October 2023.
In 2024, the national government elections led to the African National Congress losing its majority. The IFP secured 3.85% of the national vote, translating to 17 seats in the 400-seat National Assembly.
Following this, the IFP joined the ANC, DA and seven other parties to form the Government of National Unity (GNU) coalition.
Hlabisa made the decision to join the GNU in June 2024. “The IFP will always rise up as a source of hope for the people of South Africa,” said Hlabisa.
“This is why in the GNU, we said that we do not want to stand outside and become armchair critics. We want to get into government and become the voice of the people.”
Behind the blue lights
Hlabisa was then selected by President Cyril Ramaphosa as Minister of CoGTA, a position which Hlabisa believes aligns well with the agenda of the IFP.
“One of our main constituents is traditional leaders, and we are given an opportunity to champion their agenda,” he said.
This is in addition to being able to chase other key points of the IFP’s agenda, which he says includes “giving the township economy back to South Africans.”
Hlabisa explained, however, that taking on the position of minister has been anything but glamorous.
“The people of South Africa have an idea of what a minister does, which is not necessarily correct. They think that being a minister is a nice thing, and sometimes you hear them saying that ministers enjoy blue lights,” he said.
“I must be honest. The life of a minister is very difficult. We work every day back-to-back. Travelling is killing.”
Hlabisa said that every day or every second day as a minister involves travelling, as ministers are required to be on the ground when challenges or crises occur.
As the minister responsible for supporting municipal governments, Hlabisa must be there in each municipality when disaster strikes.
The minister said that when he was working as a member of the provincial legislature in KwaZulu-Natal, life was easier, as he could spend every day with his wife and two children, and champion his political programmes within the working day.
Now, Hlabisa said he spends very little time with his family, spending one day with them now and then, and often going months without seeing them.
“It’s not a good life. It is a life of serving. It’s like being a soldier. I’ve come to understand that now. The life I’m living is like a soldier, sacrificing time with family to serve.”
No days off
Additionally, Hlabisa is required to attend cabinet meetings as well as sit in the National Assembly. Each of these meetings requires hours of preparation that must be factored into an already-full schedule.
“The reading is killing. I know when I arrive in Cape Town and I get into the back seat of the car, there is a pile of files that I must read,” said Hlabisa.
“Every time I get into the car, I look at the seat to see how high the pile of files is, and then I start to imagine: oh yes, I will sleep around 3 am.”
Hlabisa said he often needs to catch the first flight in the morning for his travels, waking up at 3 in the morning to get to the airport an hour before departure.
There are no days off for ministers or members of parliament; they are required to work every day of the week.
Hlabisa must balance the requirements of being a minister with his role as leader of the IFP.
“I have to juggle between being a minister and being president of a political party, because if I forget that I have a party that I’m leading, I’ll wake up after the election and the party is no longer there,” he said.
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