Up to the challenge: Somadoda Fikeni sees it as his duty to serve and make a difference, whatever role he currently occupies. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
How would you describe your childhood in Lugelweni in the Eastern Cape?
I was one of six children — three boys and three girls — and we had an average village childhood experience. We had livestock, so I was a herd boy, and we attended the same school where my mother was a teacher.
We had to duck and dive when she insisted we do our homework because we were reading boxing magazines instead [laughs]. My father wanted us to become professional boxers, but my mother insisted that we study and obtain degrees.
I come from an African royal family, so we have a traditional, Christian and agricultural village heritage.
For example, when the lockdown was announced last year, I suggested to my wife and kids that we replace all the flowers in the garden with vegetables, and that project worked out quite well.
Having obtained numerous degrees over the years, in 2008, there were questions about the validity of your doctorate in politics, which you completed at the Michigan State University in the US.
I was the chairperson of Walter Sisulu University, and we had to decide to appoint a vice-chancellor out of the three merging institutions. There was, however, a lot of fighting around this process. I handed one of my deans a transcript that I completed at Michigan State University, but I did not yet have the certificate.
There was a simple reason for that. When I completed my PhD, I was about to defend it [an opportunity for a PhD student to publicly present their research and answer questions about it from the thesis committee] when my father died. My supervisor, the university and my sponsors, were against my decision to attend his funeral in South Africa.
They argued that I also left in 1998 when my sister died, and I was supposed to write comprehension examinations.
Their argument angered me, and I decided to leave. When I returned to the US, the sponsors had withdrawn my scholarship. I then asked for emergency funding from the university to defend [my Phd] because you are no longer registered when a scholarship is withdrawn.
I was even refused a work permit. I was kicked out of my apartment, and I stayed in my car for three weeks. I was destitute and literally lined up for food and necessities at a local church. When I returned, and the university tried to contact me, I shut them out because of what happened and how I was treated.
Long story short: Michigan State University did eventually confirm that I’ve obtained my doctoral degree. Needless to say, in December, I was elected president of the Michigan State University African Alumni Association.
Do you have any hobbies, and what do you regard as the perfect family time?
I have three daughters and a son, and although they like my sense of humour, they know I’m strict. I’m a motivator, and I encourage my kids to dream beyond anything they think is possible. We always emphasise that they should never try to be like us but instead follow their own path.
I have a diverse taste in music, from gospel to opera and even Indian pan flute music. It’s like a mixed salad when it comes to my taste in music. Taking walks in the botanical gardens or just sitting next to water streams is a good way to clear my head.
I like watching stars, and I own a few telescopes, but my passion is photography. I trained as a photographer at the National College of Photography in Pretoria.
Because of Covid-19, my kids and I had to halt our training in drone piloting. I’m currently writing my grandfather’s biography, and when I look at the old pictures, I realise that a photograph manages to freeze a moment that you never lived in.
As the newly appointed head of the Public Service Commission, what do you bring to the table?
I am ready for this task because throughout my life, I always faced challenges, and I did my best to resolve them, even as a young student during the anti-apartheid struggle. I bring an academic background and real government experience to the table, and I do have the resilience to pursue what I think is right.
What gives me the greatest joy is not looking for green pastures, but looking for brown pastures that allow me to water them until they’re green. I always look for the most challenging situations because a well-functioning, non-challenging entity will definitely bore me.
As an author, public speaker and analyst on a range of issues, from local and international politics, to heritage and economics, what has been the highlight of your career?
For me, it’s a thread. When I come into space where there is injustice, I fight until I see justice. Or if there is a lack of transformation, I contribute to change for the benefit of others. That has been the main value proposition in my entire interface.
For example, during my chairpersonship at Artscape, the organisation appointed its first-ever black female chief executive, the first in 100 years.
My duty to serve and make a difference has been that one thread weaved throughout my different career engagements. In each portfolio I occupy, I always wish to give more to that position than the position gives to me.
What is your view on the current turmoil in the ANC in terms of factional battles, and how big is the ultimate threat to democracy?
The ANC has been the dominant party in the country, from the eighties and nineties until today. So its internal misfortunes and infighting have a negative effect on our democratic project and transition.
As the rulers of the country, it takes their focus away from the most strategic core issues of national interest, and they spend much of their energy looking over their shoulders during this time.
When you have divisions, you create patronage networks, and when there is wrongdoing, these networks are used to defend each other. So the corrective measures are hard to find.
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