Mzwakhe Ziqubu: From the Streets to Governance, Your Struggle Must Become Power

The Journey of Mzwakhe Ziqubu

Mzwakhe Ziqubu is a young man from the dusty streets of the Vaal who understands the struggles faced by ordinary people. He completed his matric at Khutlo Thato Secondary School before furthering his studies at Better Best Institute, where he studied Ancillary Health Care through sponsorship from LoveLife.

He currently works for the Department of Health as a Case Manager in the HAST Department, where he contributes to health-related services and community support.

In 2013, Mzwakhe joined the network of ACTIVATE! Change Drivers and graduated from the programme. In the same year, he registered a non-profit organisation (NPO) called Impact together with fellow Change Driver Steven Nkonyeni. Through Impact, they focused on boys’ development, youth and adolescent health rights, and life coaching.

The Vaal is often associated with drug abuse, drug dealing, and gangsterism. Having witnessed these challenges firsthand, Mzwakhe and his team worked to help young people move away from drugs by referring them to rehabilitation centres and connecting them with opportunities that could improve their lives. His journey has taught him that real change begins when people take action in their own communities. His commitment to youth development, health, and community service has shaped his decision to take the next step from activism into political leadership.

Community and Ward: Ward 41, Zone 3, Sebokeng

Mzwakhe Ziqubu is contesting Ward 41 in Zone 3, Sebokeng, a community he knows very well because he grew up there. He has seen how unemployment, a lack of facilities, and poor service delivery have affected people’s lives, especially young people who struggle to find opportunities to build a better future.He believes that the community has been neglected for too long, with residents left to deal with daily challenges while their concerns are not given enough attention by those in leadership.

For Mzwakhe, this is personal. He is not coming into the community as an outsider who only appears during election campaigns. He comes from the same streets, understands the struggles of the people, and wants to be part of finding lasting solutions. His vision is to build a community where young people have opportunities, residents receive the basic services they pay for, and leaders remain accessible and accountable to the people they represent.

Challenges Facing the Community and Proposed Solutions

Ward 41 faces several challenges, including crime, unreliable electricity and water services, illegal dumping, unemployment, and a lack of proper sports and recreation facilities. Mzwakhe believes these issues are connected and must be addressed through practical solutions and accountable leadership.

Crime, Unemployment and Drug Abuse

Unemployment leaves many young people without opportunities to support themselves or develop their skills. With limited access to sports facilities and other positive activities, some become vulnerable to drug abuse and crime. Mzwakhe wants to promote youth development by turning unused public spaces and closed schools into skills development centres where young people can access training and opportunities to improve their chances of finding employment.

He also wants to rehabilitate existing sports and recreation facilities and introduce Wi-Fi access where feasible. These spaces could give young people safer, more constructive places to spend their time instead of hanging around street corners where they may be exposed to drugs and crime.

Electricity and Vandalism of Substations

Electricity outages caused by the vandalism of electrical substations leave residents in the dark and create conditions that can contribute to increased criminal activity. Mzwakhe proposes working with the municipality and relevant authorities to improve the security of these facilities. Measures could include appointing security companies, installing surveillance cameras, and strengthening community involvement in protecting public infrastructure. He believes that public infrastructure must be protected because its destruction affects the entire community. Any allegations of wrongdoing or deliberate damage must also be properly investigated by the relevant authorities.

Water and Basic Service Delivery

Access to water and electricity is essential for every household. Residents pay for municipal services and deserve reliable service delivery and clear communication when interruptions occur. Mzwakhe believes that basic services must not be compromised. He wants a leadership approach that holds the municipality accountable for delivering services, responding to residents’ complaints, and providing clear explanations when services are delayed. He also wants residents to have opportunities to raise their concerns through regular public meetings, where community members can engage with their ward councillor and receive feedback on outstanding issues.

Illegal Dumping and Waste Removal

Illegal dumping has become a serious concern in the community, creating unhealthy living conditions and attracting rodents that threaten residents’ health and safety. Mzwakhe believes that poor waste removal and inadequate municipal service delivery contribute to this problem. Residents are often told that the municipality lacks trucks or fuel to collect rubbish, leaving communities to live with the consequences.

He proposes working with the municipality to improve waste collection schedules, monitor service delivery, address illegal dumping hotspots, and encourage community participation in keeping public spaces clean. He believes that a clean environment is not a luxury but a basic requirement for a healthy community. Municipal resources must be managed responsibly, and residents deserve honest communication about service delivery challenges.

Lack of Sports and Recreation Facilities

Sports and recreation facilities can play an important role in keeping young people active, building discipline, and reducing their exposure to crime and substance abuse.

Mzwakhe proposes rehabilitating existing facilities that have been vandalised and working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that these spaces are properly maintained and accessible to the community.

Where possible, the facilities could also provide Wi-Fi access and support youth programmes, skills development activities, and community initiatives. The goal is to create safe spaces where young people can learn, connect, and discover opportunities beyond the streets.

Turning Closed Schools into Skills Development Centres

Mzwakhe believes that closed and unused school buildings should be explored as potential skills development centres rather than being left abandoned. Working with the municipality, provincial government, educational institutions, and other relevant partners, these buildings could be repurposed to provide vocational training, digital skills, career guidance, and other development programmes. Such centres could help young people gain practical skills, improve their employability, and potentially create opportunities for local entrepreneurship and job creation.

Political Affiliation

Mzwakhe Ziqubu is a member of Tau Dia Rora (TDR), an organisation rooted in culture, tradition, and the preservation of people’s identity and heritage. TDR has been assisting communities voluntarily, guided by a commitment to service and the belief that meaningful change begins within communities. Following encouragement and support from the communities it has served, TDR was asked to stand in the 2026 Local Government Elections. This move reflects the belief that community service should extend into leadership and decision-making, ensuring that the needs, struggles, and aspirations of ordinary people are represented.

What Will Mzwakhe Ziqubu Do Differently?

Mzwakhe wants to bring leadership that is available, accountable, transparent, and connected to the people.He believes that the current leadership has failed to adequately address basic community needs and has not done enough to create opportunities for residents to voice their concerns through public meetings and meaningful engagement.

For Mzwakhe, a councillor must be present in the community, listen to residents, follow up on complaints, and communicate honestly about progress and challenges. People should not have to struggle to find their elected representative when they need assistance.He wants to promote regular community meetings where residents can discuss service delivery problems, raise concerns, and receive feedback on the actions being taken to address them.

He also believes that public leadership requires accountability. Residents deserve to know what is being done about electricity, water, waste removal, crime prevention, and youth development.His approach is simple: a leader belongs on the streets with the people, not hidden away in offices. Leadership is about service, responsibility, and working alongside the community to bring about change.

What Does Running for Councillor Mean to Him as a Member of ACTIVATE! Change Drivers?

As a member of ACTIVATE! Change Drivers, Mzwakhe has gained valuable experience in community engagement, leadership, and understanding social challenges. His journey as a Change Driver and his work through Impact have strengthened his belief that communities must be actively involved in shaping their own futures.

However, he recognises that activism alone is not always enough. Many decisions that affect people’s daily lives are made by those who hold political power. By contesting Ward 41, he wants to take community concerns into the spaces where decisions are made and advocate more effectively for the people he seeks to represent.

For Mzwakhe, running for councillor is about turning years of community involvement into meaningful representation. It is about ensuring that residents’ voices are heard, that public resources are used responsibly, and that service delivery becomes a priority. He believes that change starts with the people themselves. Communities cannot afford to remain on the sidelines while decisions about their future are made without their meaningful participation. His journey from the streets of the Vaal to community activism and now towards local governance reflects his determination to turn the struggles of ordinary people into action, representation, and accountability.

A Call for Community-Led Change

Mzwakhe Ziqubu’s story is rooted in the community he grew up in and the challenges he has witnessed throughout his journey. From supporting young people through health education and life coaching to advocating for better service delivery, his work has been driven by the belief that people deserve better opportunities and a leadership that understands their daily struggles. His vision for Ward 41, Zone 3, Sebokeng, is a community where basic services are reliable, public spaces are safe and clean, young people have access to opportunities, and residents can hold their leaders accountable.

He believes that meaningful change requires collective effort. It requires residents to participate, leaders to listen, and those entrusted with public responsibility to remain committed to serving the people.For Mzwakhe, the journey from activism to governance is not about abandoning the streets but carrying the voices and struggles of the people into decision-making spaces.

ANGEKE SAPHELA AMANDLA, HADI RORE DITAU.

From the streets to governance, your struggle must become power.

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About the Author:

Jennifer Mdluli is a passionate radio broadcaster, Head coach and Founder of Emerald Gymnastics Club, and facilitator dedicated to youth and community development. A member of Activate! Change Drivers, an organization that fosters youth leadership and inspires social change through creativity and engagement, Jennifer is committed to supporting efforts that promote equality, inclusion, and empowerment for all individuals.