Naledi Chirwa-Mpungose is a firebrand politician. Chirwa-Mpungose has been making waves on the political scene since she was in university.
She gained popularity during the #FeesMustFall movement and later, when she and three other women disrupted former president Jacob Zuma’s speech in 2016 by holding posters that read “Remember Khwezi”, a reference to the rape allegations against Zuma.
More recently, she caught the media’s attention for her impassioned speech on behalf of the youth, delivered during the opening of Parliament last month.
She told President Cyril Ramaphosa that he had failed the young people of the country.
Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, Chirwa-Mpungose, an EFF member of Parliament, urged young people to participate in politics because “whether they like it or not it affects their everyday life”.
She said at the end of the day South Africa would be left with young people and it was about time they partook in the decisions that were made, starting in their communities.
“More of our people should be in politics. If there are meetings with the municipality in your area, go to that meeting and get involved. To be in control of our country, join umzabalazo (the movement),” she said.
Chirwa-Mpungose said it was a combination of activism, academics, human rights, and young people that led her into politics.
The politician is also an artist and a filmmaker.
“I’m currently busy with my MPhil Research Law at the University of Pretoria,” she said.
The 31-year-old and one of the youngest members of Parliament said she did not have faith in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
“The government has failed to create sustainable employment,” she added.
Chirwa-Mpungose said the young people of this country were not equipped with skills.
“We are at the peak of capitalism and young people are not empowered with skills,” she said.
This was one of the reasons why there was so much crime in the country. She said poverty has stripped people of their dignity.
Chirwa-Mpungose said South Africa should be producing its goods. That would be another way of creating sustainable employment.
Talking about her political party, Chirwa-Mpungose said the EFF was the only platform for young people to be involved in, learn, and make mistakes. She said the party allowed that as it was led by a young person, its chief commander, Julius Malema.
Chirwa-Mpungose said having young people in politics would assist in the country having educated leaders instead of those who had matric and lacked awareness.
Sunday Tribune