By Vusi Shongwe

VELENKOSINI Fiki Hlabisa, a quietly confident leader with a unique sense of humour and exceptional problem-solving skills, stands out as a beacon of excellence and humanity.

Curious by nature, he remains open-minded and unassuming. His life is characterised by uncommon kindness and humility, marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a steadfast commitment to education, local government, and politics. Hlabisa is widely respected and loved.

Hlabisa embodies excellence, humility, and warmth. His Excellency Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), described him as a strategist. Not only is Hlabisa an original and strategic thinker, but he is also a charming lateral thinker. His self-effacing humility and integrity are beyond reproach.

However, Hlabisa’s leadership is not without its challenges. As the President of the IFP, he has faced the task of navigating the party’s complex history and its role in South African politics. The IFP’s past has been marked by controversy, particularly during the apartheid era, which has left a lasting impact on its public perception. Despite this, Hlabisa has been praised for his commitment to integrity and principled leadership, emphasising the importance of transparency and accountability in governance.

As Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Hlabisa has been instrumental in fostering a renewed partnership between the government and traditional leaders. He has emphasised the need to strengthen traditional leadership and enhance their participation in governance, highlighting their role in promoting cultural heritage and social cohesion. This approach reflects his broader vision for a more inclusive and collaborative governance model.

While Hlabisa is celebrated for his humility and integrity, his political career has also been marked by significant challenges. His transition from local government to national politics has required him to navigate complex coalitions and alliances, particularly within the context of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU). This has tested his ability to balance party interests with national responsibilities.

Hlabisa’s commitment to education is another defining aspect of his career. As a former teacher and school principal, he has consistently advocated for innovative educational approaches such as the flipped classroom model. His passion for education reflects his broader commitment to community development and social empowerment.

In essence, Hlabisa is passionate, compassionate, and generous. He embodies excellence, service to humanity, and integrity. However, his leadership is also shaped by the complexities of South African politics and the historical context of the IFP. As he continues to navigate these challenges, his ability to balance principle with pragmatism will remain crucial to his success.

Hlabisa’s leadership is rooted in inexhaustible creativity and contagious enthusiasm for idea generation and knowledge management. Not the loudest in the room, his conviction and depth of knowledge create an instant and enduring connection with those around him. His knack for recognising and nurturing potential not only benefits those he mentors but also the many they go on to inspire.

As a trained teacher, he was appreciated and admired by both students and colleagues. Before entering politics full-time, Hlabisa excelled as a teacher, having studied at the University of Zululand. The classroom was a natural environment for him, inspiring a new generation of educators.

An innovative advocate of the flipped classroom approach, Hlabisa also became a school principal, showcasing his remarkable leadership qualities. Even after transitioning from teaching to politics, he remains committed to education, approaching it as a dynamic process where teaching and learning are intertwined without diminishing the distinct roles involved.

As Minister of Cogta, Hlabisa is known for his collegiality and respectfulness, making him a highly likeable figure. Though not a grand orator, his creative thinking has endeared him to millions of South Africans. Hlabisa has hit the ground running in his ministerial role, proving to be a cautious yet impactful leader. He is undoubtedly one of the best-performing ministers in the GNU.

Not only does he command respect, but he is also open to new ideas and considerate of differing perspectives. Even during challenging discussions, such as reducing participants in the Community Work Programme, Hlabisa maintains a calm, solution-focused demeanour.

Everyone who knows Hlabisa appreciates his commitment to equitable and respectful dialogue. His open and unifying leadership serves as a foundation for his department’s mission and overall vision.

What sets Hlabisa apart is his genuine commitment to his work, a principle he learnt from his distinguished mentor, Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Hlabisa exemplifies integrity in both word and deed. When speaking about him, Inkosi Buthelezi famously remarked: “I’m very happy myself because I know that I handed the baton to the right person, who will take the party forward. The president of the IFP, Hlabisa, is an experienced leader; he has been a school principal, a mayor... he’s one of my protégés. I know he’s a born strategist, and my party could not be in better hands.”

To be regarded as a strategist by a statesman like Buthelezi is a monumental accolade. Yet, even with such recognition, Hlabisa remains remarkably grounded.

Through his inspiration, kindness, and mentorship, Cogta is proudly led by a person of integrity and honour, whose humility is unparalleled. With civility and wisdom, Hlabisa has instilled a sense of integrity in Cogta, overseeing the affairs of traditional leaders across the country.

Born on January 4, 1965 in KwaZulu-Natal as the first of four children to David and Thembani Hlabisa, he benefitted from the Good Citizenship programme in primary school, initiated by the KwaZulu Government under Buthelezi’s leadership. The principles of self-help, self-reliance, and community service were instilled in him from a young age.

His passion for education led him to pursue a teaching career, eventually becoming Principal of Somfula High School. He earned an SSTD and a B. Paed degree in History from the University of Zululand, as well as a BA Honours in History from the University of South Africa. While at Zululand, he founded and chaired the South African Democratic Students Movement. He later served as the Regional Deputy Chairperson of the National Teachers’ Union.

Hlabisa consistently engaged with the community, chairing the Community Working Group for six years and collaborating with the SA Medical Research Council on HIV/Aids and Microbicide trials. He has also chaired the Hlabisa Hospital Board for over a decade.

Through the IFP, he answered the call to governance, gaining twenty-four years of experience in local government as a councillor, deputy mayor, and mayor at the district level.

In August 2019, Hlabisa was elected unopposed as president of the IFP. He subsequently became the leader of the official opposition in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature before being sworn in as a member of parliament in October 2023, succeeding the late Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Following the May 2024 National and Provincial Elections and the formation of South Africa’s second GNU, the IFP joined the national government. The President appointed Hlabisa as Minister of Cogta, a role he embraced with a spirit of servant leadership.

* Dr Vusi Shongwe works for the KZN Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture. The contribution is written in his personal capacity. The views expressed here are his own.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, or Independent Media.

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Exploring the legacy of Velenkosini Hlabisa: A strategist in SA governance