Deputy secretary general: United Democratic Movement

Nqabayomzi Kwankwa is a jack-of-all-trades, which he says comes with working for a small party like the United Democratic Movement (UDM). Whether acting in his capacity as deputy secretary general, spokesman, speechwriter or researcher, Kwankwa takes every opportunity to hold government to account and ensure that the ideals that underpinned the liberation struggle are translated into service delivery and poverty alleviation programmes.

Kwankwa knows first-hand the hardships that millions of South Africans face. When he arrived in Cape Town, he worked as a cleaner and security officer to support his studies. Currently pursuing a master’s in economics through Unisa, Kwankwa left the corporate world in 2009 to follow a career in politics, using his contacts in the private and public sectors “to help establish or support community development programmes around the country”. Some believe the 32-year-old is being groomed by party leader, Bantu Holomisa, to take over the UDM leadership one day.

— Andisiwe Makinana

Facebook: Nqabayomzi Kwankwa